Experimental Design

Summary module description:
Designed experiments are carried out in a wide range of applications to learn about the comparative effects of treatments and factors influencing a response. In this module the key principles which are essential for designing effective experiments from available resources will be covered. So too will be the factorial treatment structure and response surface methods, which are appropriate for studying more than one quantitative factor. Consideration will also be given to the analysis of data from experiments.

Aims:
To introduce students to key design principles, different experimental designs, and the practicalities associated with them; and to equip them with the skills to analyse data from different types of experiment.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students will have acquired:
? an appreciation of the statistical principles of good experimental design;
? some ability to plan an experiment;
? some ability to analyse data from a range of standard experimental designs;
? some ability to recognise the practical difficulties of real experiments.
? some ability to review other people's experimental designs.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
Experiments, objectives and their practicalities.
Principles of good design: randomisation, replication, blocking.
Types of experiments: completely randomised designs, block designs, balanced incomplete block designs, single replicate designs.
Treatment structure: contrasts, factorial treatments, main effects, interactions.
Factorial experiments: full factorial designs, hidden replication, fractional factorial designs, confounding.
Quantitative treatments and designs for comparing more than one quantitative treatment factor
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures supported by practical classes

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 80%
Written assignment including essay 20%

Other information on summative assessment:
One assignment and one examination.

Formative assessment methods:
Problem sheets, practical classes, and a tutorial

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Length of examination:
Two hours

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.