ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book suggests that some possible steps to identify all significant explanatory variables and multiple response variables that should be included in a comprehensive multinomial approach to ecotoxicology. A major improvement necessary to make quantal response bioassays more predictive is the use of response variables other than simply "dead versus alive"39 and to use statistical methods especially for prediction. The book also explains methodology to handle natural variation in response and offer guidance in the design of experiments to monitor resistance in populations collected from the field. It describes numerous techniques for analyses of pesticide bioassay data, together with cautions about their possible misuses. The most reliable criterion for a diagnosis that resistance has developed is failure of a chemical to manage arthropod populations in the field. Quantal response bioassays provide basic information for studies of pesticide resistance.
