Parallels between statistical issues in medical and meteorological experimentation

摘要

The methodology of experimentation, randomization, and statistical analysis in weather modification has many parallels in clinical trials, such as the need for randomization, and the question of inclusion or exclusion of units assigned to be treated but not actually treated. There also are considerable differences, mainly in the definition of units, where the obvious choice of a single patient is in contrast with the highly problematic definition of a cloud or storm, and in the ethical aspects. This paper highlights some of these parallels and differences in the hope that looking at one's own problems in a different context may enhance one's understanding. It may also reconcile experimenters to their need for statistics: as the Hebrew saying goes, "Tzarat rabim, hatzi nehama" (the misfortune of many is half a consolation).