Abstract

Amalgamation of extensive theoretical models, a considerable number of variables (observed and latent), and a considerable number of uncontrollable intervening variables require behavioral (casual) researchers to have sufficient statistical reasoning and thinking competencies to structure a core ‘Statistical Mix’ embodied with statistical procedures appropriately to test their research hypothesis legitimately. Preliminary survey investigations and content analysis of PhD dissertations (N_{1 =} 65) and M.Sc. thesis (n = 275 out of N₂ = 653) in agricultural extension education; rural development; and agricultural development in Iran showed that the applied statistical procedures were rarely eligible and appropriate. The main purpose of this article is to develop a strategic statistical road map to exploratory strategic programming, versus the common "if-then" conditional imperative programming in statistical decision trees. Hermeneutic approach is applied to study statistical thinking models and statistical devices linkages to demonstrate their applicability in educational and behavioral research. This statistical strategic road map, consisting of 50 sequential steps in four phases, is developed through an in-depth investigation of statistical resources to assist graduate and post graduate students, as well as statistics educators worldwide to develop their statistical reasoning and thinking ability and generate or come up with more realistic research outcomes.

Key words: Statistical Mix, statistical procedure, behavioral research, statistical reasoning, graduate and post graduate research.