Abstrakt: |
An integrated, computerized system has been developed to facilitate data collection and storage. It utilizes hardware, commercial software, and menu‐driven software and has two parts. The first part utilizes a portable microcomputer to collect data in the field or lab. This microcomputer can be interfaced with an electronic balance to facilitate data entry by weighing. Off‐line data storage is available when remote field situations prevent immediate data transfer. The second part utilizes a desktop microcomputer with a hard disk to generate randomized complete block design treatment arrangements with one to six replications, create and manipulate data storage files, print fieldbooks, and print adhesive labels. Data files from the portable microcomputer can be imported into a spreadsheet for simple statistical analyses (means, variances, ranks, etc.) or transferred as an ASCII file to a more sophisticated statistical analysis program. This system allows control of data collected from an experiment on one integrated computer system. Transcription errors are avoided and data are immediately available for analysis. The software developed for the system is available upon request. |