| Module Code | ST8004 |
| Module Name | Introduction to Experimental Design |
| ECTS Weighting[1] | 5 ECTS |
| Semester taught | Semester 1 |
| Module Coordinator/s | Prof. James Ng |
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
MLO4.1 describe and explain the roles of control, blocking, randomisation
and replication in experimentation,
MLO4.2 explain the advantages of statistical designs for multifactor
experiments,
MLO4.3 describe and explain the genesis of a range of basic experimental
design structures,
MLO4.4 implement and interpret the analysis of variance for a range of
experimental designs,
MLO4.5 describe the models underlying the analysis of variance for a range
of basic experimental designs,
Module Content
Specific topics addressed in this module include:
The need for experiments: experimental and observational studies, cause
and effect, control
Basic design principles for experiments: Control, Blocking (pairing),
Randomisation, Replication, Factorial structure
Standard designs: Randomised blocks, Two-level factors, Multi-level
factors, Split units
Analysis of experimental data, Exploratory data analysis, Effect estimation
and significance testing, Analysis of variance, Statistical models, fixed and
random effects, Model validation, diagnostics
Teaching and learning Methods
Assessment Details
The module is assessed by an assignment (30%) and a major
project (70%)
Reassessment Details
A major project (100%)
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
This module has 4 weekly sessions. The session will be released the Friday before the start
of that week, with a tutorial session and an office hour session each week.
Session 1 Introduction to Design and Analysis of Experiments
Session 2 Randomised Block Design and an Introduction to Factorial design
Session 3 Two-level Factors
Session 4 Fractional Factorial Designs and Split-plot Designs
Recommended Reading List
Core reading materials. The core reading material is the module study
notes. These texts complement that material:
Mullins, E., Statistics for the Quality Control Chemistry Laboratory, Royal
Society of Chemistry, 2003, particularly Chapters 4-5, 7-8.
Montgomery, D.C., Design and analysis of experiments, 8th ed., Wiley, 2013.
Dean, Angela and Voss, Daniel, Design and analysis of experiments,
Springer, 1999.
Supplementary reading or similar materials:
Box, G.E.P, Hunter, J.S. and Hunter, W.G., Statistics for Experimenters, 2nd.
ed., Wiley, 2005.
Cox, D.R., Planning of Experiments, Wiley, 1958.
Daniel, C., Applications of Statistics to Industrial Experimentation, Wiley,
1976.
Fisher, R.A., The Design of Experiments, Oliver and Boyd, 1935, (8th ed.
1966).
Mead, R., Gilmour, SG and Mead, A, Statistical Principles for the Design of
Experiments: Applications to Real Experiments, Cambridge University
Press, 2012.
Robinson, G.K., Practical Strategies for Experimenting, Wiley, 2000.
Module Pre-requisites
Prerequisite modules: ST8001, ST8002, ST8003.
Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: None.