This book explains the basics underlying designed experiments, supplies instructions on how to use several families of convenient designs, and gives an overview of assorted subtopics in the field, including response surface analysis and mix design. It leads the reader step-by-step through the basic concepts and practices of this methodology, using uncomplicated language and readily understandable examples to introduce background theory; this overview is included to enable the reader to optimally utilize the practical skills and techniques the book presents.

From the Preface: “...The good news is that basic understanding of designed experiments is not really that difficult to learn and use. The more advanced concepts and mathematics are certainly challenging, but it is possible to tackle the great majority of commonly encountered problems with only a few types of designs; and those designs are usually of workable size, easy to understand, and generate data that can frequently be analyzed and interpreted using nothing more than a handheld calculator. Design of Experiments is a tremendously valuable tool for exploring new processes or gaining detailed comprehension of existing ones, and then optimizing those processes...”

Target Audience: Specialists from lab technicians to factory troubleshooters to Ph.D. researchers requiring an easy and helpful guide to the design of experiments.

Table of Contents:

What Are Designed Experiments?

Why and Where Should Designed Experiments Be Used?

How Hard Are Designed Experiments to Use?

Basic Statistics as Background to Design of Experiments

Fundamentals of Experimentation

Basics of Experimental Design

Fractional Designs and Their Uses

Examples Using Eight-Run Design

Effective Use of Simple Designs

Application of Folded-Over Designs

Nomenclature and Design Variations

Estimation of Scatter

Sizing of Experiments

Development of an Experimental Strategy

Basics of Response Surface Methods

Analysis of Response Surface Method Experiments

Basics of Mixture Designs

Latin Squares and Their Derivatives

Basic Analysis of Variance

Full Use of Analysis of Variance

Taguchi's Contributions

Advanced Topics in Design of Experiments

Computer Programs for Design of Experiments

Glossary

Index