Customer Reviews

Principles and Practices of Unbiased Stereology: An Introduction for Bioscientists

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stereology refers to a set of methodological tools (e.g. mathematical, statistical, and geometric) for obtaining information about three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional profiles. This book provides the necessary theoretical and methodological framework for beginners in the field, by describing the basic `principles and practices' of stereology. It is primarily written for neuroscientists and biomedical scientists but geologists and other scientists from a variety of different disciplines will find it very useful. The first chapter offers a historical overview of the fundamental concepts of stereology and the events that led to the present era of modern stereology. Subsequent chapters deal with stereological techniques for quantifying first-order parameters (volume, length, surface area, number) as well as issues of experimental design, sampling strategies and possible sources of bias. The concise illustrations and figures that accompany the text help to promote better understanding of the abstract concepts. Complex formulations are avoided and the simple explanations that are provided make the entire book very easy to read and follow. Overall, this book is well-written and straightforward introduction to the basic principles of modern stereology.
Michail E. Kalaitzakis, Ph.D. D.I.C. Candidate, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neuropathology, Imperial College London, University of London, UK.

Principles and Practices fills a much needed niche-- this book excels at introducing beginners to stereology and is sufficiently advanced that more experienced scientists will find themselves using it for reference. The most interesting and useful feature of this book is its organization. Beginning with an historical perspective, the reader learns the importance of stereology as a separate field, as well as its recent impact on the biological sciences. The author does an excellent job of providing pertinent information instead of overwhelming with formulas and jargon. Dr. Mouton's treatment of bias and error is superb; I find myself referring to it frequently.