Automation of data processing

Data processing can be time‐consuming when experiments with advanced designs are employed. This, coupled with a shortage of research workers, necessitates automation. It is suggested that with automation the first step is to determine how the data must be analysed. The second step is to determine what programmes are available. If a programme is not available it will be necessary to write a new programme. An example of research work where both animal and botanical data are analysed, is given.