Statistical methods in conservation science are reviewed, with an emphasis on deterioration and treatment studies. A survey of all articles published in two major conservation journals during the period 1981–1992 shows that less than one‐third of the papers reported any statistical analysis; most that did included only simple descriptive statistics. Basic components of experimental design that impact subsequent data analysis and interpretation are discussed in the context of conservation research. An overview is given of statistical methods particularly useful to conservation scientists. Some of the most important are correlation analysis, regression analysis, t‐tests, analysis of variance, and the Kruskal‐Wall