This is a work in progress. It will be completed by the end of the day on 04 January 2016.
Learning outcomes
- Learn the basic terminology of experiments: responses, factors, outcomes, real-world units vs coded units, confounding
- Analyze and interpret data from an experiment with 2, 3 or more factors by hand
- Use R to do the analysis, and interpret the various plots, such as the Pareto plot
- Analyze and interpret data from an experiment with 3 or more factors
- Recognize when to use a fractional factorial, to go mostly the same results as from a full factorial
- Understand when to use screening experiments
- Use the concepts of response surface methods to systematically reach an optimum
- What you can do when you make a mistake, or hit against constraints.
Extended readings/practice
Resources
Class videos from prior years
Videos from 2015
- 00 - Introduction video for the Coursera online course [01:56]
- 1A - Why experiments are so important [07:48]
- 1B - Some basic terminology [06:37]
- 1C - Analysis of your first experiment [09:00]
- 1D - How NOT to run an experiment [03:07]
- 2A - Analysis of experiments in two factors by hand [13:37]
- 2B - Numeric predictions from two-factor experiments [07:25]
- 2C - Two-factor experiments with interactions [15:15]
- 2D - In-depth case study: analyzing a system with 3 factors by hand [17:28]
- 3A - Setting up the least squares model for a 2 factor experiment [05:46]
- 3B - Solving the mathematical model for a 2 factor experiment using software [08:46]
- 3C - Using computer software for a 3 factor experiment [08:37]
- 3D - Case study: a 4-factor system using computer software [09:03]
- 4A - The trade-offs when doing half-fraction factorials [13:20]
- 4B - The technical details behind half-fractions [09:38]
- 4C - A case study with aliasing in a fractional factorial [06:38]
- 4D - All about disturbances, why we randomize, and what covariates are [11:00]
- 4E - All about blocking [09:21]
- 4F - Fractional factorials: introducing aliasing notation [12:00]
- 4G - Fractional factorials: using aliasing notation to plan experiments [10:45]
- 4H - An example of an analyzing an experiment with aliasing [09:50]
- 5A - Response surface methods - an introduction [06:13]
- 5B - Response surface methods (RSM) in one variable [18:40]
- 5C - Why changing one factor at a time (OFAT) will mislead you [05:33]
- 5D - The concept of contour plots and which objectives should we maximize [03:40]
- 5E - RSM in 2 factors: introducing the case study [19:20]
- 5F - RSM case study continues: constraints and mistakes [13:45]
- 5G - RSM case study continues: approaching the optimum [17:05]
- 06 - Wrap-up: the course in review, multiple objectives, and references for the future [08:10]
Videos from 2014
See the webpage from 2014
Videos from 2013
See the webpage from 2013
Software codes for this section
Code to show how to build and plot a least squares model in R
Try this code in a web-browser