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<br />'80
<br />
<br />have similar traits. The three most important charac-
<br />teristics are: (1) the signal-to-noise ratio, (2) the repeti-
<br />tion (confirmation), and (3) the plausibility (fit with a
<br />meaningful conceptual model of the process of interest)
<br />of the results. The importance of proper confirming ex-
<br />periments should not be underestimated.
<br />
<br />4. INTERSECTION OF STATISTICS AND
<br />METEOROLOGY
<br />
<br />Professor Braham is quite correct in calling for more
<br />involvement in "meteorological projects" by statisticians.
<br />I believe that most of his comments on this topic could
<br />be generalized to many areas of statistical application.
<br />For one reason or another many statisticians appear to be
<br />reluctant to get. intricately involved in the applied side
<br />of statistics. Perhaps the work is "cleaner" on the
<br />theoretical side of statistics; but, as Fisher (1925) so well
<br />indicated, the stimulation for relevant theoretical work
<br />9ften comes from the applied side (the joys of finally un-
<br />covering a piece of nature's puzzle are not to be ignored
<br />either). .
<br />Braham's suggestion of more ecumenical activity be-
<br />tween statistics and meteorology is welcome. In the uni-
<br />versity setting this should be translated into joint re-
<br />,search, joint faculty, common courses, and even (as
<br />Braham suggests) joint degree programs. This "experi-
<br />ment" seems long overdue. However, strong and dedi-
<br />cated leadership, such as that exhibited by Karl Pearson
<br />in the early days of biometrics, will no doubt be needed
<br />for any successful joint statistics-meteorology effort.
<br />Productive work in the intersection of two sciences is
<br />rarely easy in either an academic or political sense.
<br />In closing, it seems appropriate to mention one of the
<br />suggestions of the 1973 Panel on Weather and Climate
<br />Modification (CAS 1973). They recommended the crea-
<br />tion of Weather-Modification Statistical Research Groups
<br />(WMSRG) jointly associated with atmospheric science
<br />and statistics programs. Such groups would provide for:
<br />"(a) supplying additional full-time statistical strength,
<br />(b) bringing statisticians together with the appropriate
<br />support groups, (c) making their services available to
<br />research organizations in weather modification, and (d)
<br />systematically delving into fundamental programs in .
<br />statistical research that the field of weather modification
<br />requires." M eteometric8, in one form or another, may yet
<br />make its full appearance.
<br />
<br />REFERENCES
<br />
<br />Braham, Roscoe R., Jr. (1966), "Final Report of Project Whitetop:
<br />Part I-Design of the Experiment; Part II-Summary of Opere.-
<br />tions," Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of
<br />Chicago. (available from NTIS PB-17tHi22).
<br />
<br />
<br />~i;~ f';:':
<br />
<br />-
<br />
<br />Journal of the American Statistical Associl1tion, March 1979
<br />
<br />Camlpbell, Donald (1968), "Qu88i-Experimental Design," in Inter-
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<br />Chalmers, Thom88 C., Block, Jerome R, and Lee, Stephanie (1972),
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<br />Cochran, William G.. (1977), Sampling Techniques, 3rd ed., New
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<br />Committee on Atmospheric Sciences (1973), Weather and Climate
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<br />Research Council, National Academy of Sciences.
<br />Decker, Wayne L., and Schickedanz, Paul T. (1966), "Final Report
<br />of Project Whitetop: Part IV-A Summary of the Rainfall
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<br />Fisher, R.A. (1925), Statistical Methods for Research Workers, 1st ed.
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<br />Flue<:k, John A. (1971), "Final Report of Project Whitetop: Part
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<br />-- (1976), "Evaluation of Operational Weather Modification
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<br />Needs It?," The American Statistician, 29, 27-31.
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<br />Ms.rcella A. (1971), "Hypothetical Explanations of the Negative
<br />Apparent Effects of Cloud Seeding in the Whitetop Experiment,"
<br />PrtlCUdings of the NatUmal Academy of Sciences, 68,2643-2646.
<br />MostA~ller, Frederick, and Tukey, John W. (1977), Data Analy,ia and
<br />. Re,rrt!ssion: A Second Course in Statistics, Reading, M88B. : Addison-
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<br />Natio,nal Academy of Sciences-National Research Council (1959),
<br />"lteport of the Skyline Conference on the Design and Conduct of
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<br />Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences-National Re-
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<br />Neyman, Jerzy (1977), "A Statistician's View of Weather Modifica-
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<br />Raj, Des (1972), The Design of Sample Survey" New York: McGraw-
<br />Hill Book Co.
<br />Sudm.an, Seymour (1976), Applied Sampling, New York: Academic
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<br />Tukey, John W. (1962), "The Future of Data Analysis," Annal" of
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<br />
<br />-- (1977), Ezploralory Data Analy,ia, Reading, M88S.: Addison-
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<br />--, anc}. Wilk, Martin R (1965), "Data Analysis and Statistics:
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