Appreciating the difference between design-based and model-based sampling strategies in quantitative morphology of the nervous system

Quantitative morphology of the nervous system has undergone great developme nts over recent years, and several new technical procedures have been devis ed and applied successfully to neuromorphological research. However, a live ly debate has arisen on some issues, and a great deal of confusion appears to exist that is definitely responsible for the slow spread of the new tech niques among scientists. One such element of confusion is related to uncert ainty about the meaning, implications, and advantages of the design-based s ampling strategy that characterize the new techniques. In this article, to help remove this uncertainty, morphoquantitative methods are described and contrasted on the basis of the inferential paradigm of the sampling strateg y: design-based vs model-based. Moreover, some recommendations are made to help scientists judge the appropriateness of a method used for a given stud y in relation to its specific goals. Finally, the use of the term stereolog y to label, more or less expressely, only some methods is critically discus sed. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.