learned in training courses offered through the FSSP in
North and South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. In
its present form, the book does three things:
1) It presents the role and philosophy of on-farm research
 in FSR/E activities and describes a logical sequence
 for technology development.
2) It presents the most -used statistical procedures in
 simple, easy-to-follow steps. This is a service for
 technicians who are often isolated and would like to or
 must analyze their own data.
3) It presents new ideas and methods for analyzing
 agronomic data obtained without the effect of usual
 experiment station controlled conditions.



 In an undertaking of this magnitude, many people are
involved. Sponsors of the workshop were the Office of
International Cooperation and Development (OICD), United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), who funded it;
the University of Florida (International Programs and the
Food and Resource Economics Department), who arranged it;
and the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in
Agriculture (IICA), who hosted it. The facilities at IICA
and the hospitality of its staff were greatly appreciated
by the participants, who put forth an unusual effort
themselves trying to draft a book in one week. The
authors wish especially to acknowledge the efforts of the
participants in San Jose, and those among them who
reviewed the final draft and made useful suggestions.
 Special recognition is made to the Instituto de
Ciencia y Tecnologia Agricolas (ICTA) of Guatemala for
permission to use their data and to Juan Manuel Herrera,
who, with the collaboration of former ICTA scientist Rene
Velasquez, searched for and adapted many of the examples.
Ramiro Ortiz, former Technical Director of ICTA, was
especially helpful in making many suggestions regarding
the statistical analyses and provided a great deal of help
in editing several versions. Recognition is also due to
CIMMYT, IRRI, and CATIE for the data furnished by them.
Finally, particular gratitude is expressed to Jeannette
Romero for her patience, understanding, and efficiency in
preparing many drafts and the final version of the
manuscript.