Theorem 1.

If something can go wrong in conducting an

experiment, it will.
Theorem 2. The probability of successfully completing an
experiment is inversely proportional to the number of runs.
Theorem 3. Never let one person design and conduct an
experiment alone, particularly if that person is a subject-
matter expert in the field of study.
Theorem 4. All experiments are designed experiments;
some of them are designed well, and some of them are
designed really badly. The badly designed ones often tell
you nothing.
Theorem 5. About 80 percent of your success in
conducting a designed experiment results directly from
how well you do the pre-experimental planning.

Theorems by Dr. Douglas Montgomery

 Basic principles of experimental design
Statistical design of the experiment
Process of planning experiment so that the appropriate
data can be analyzed by statistical methods….experiment answers
the question it was proposed to answer

Statistics Consulting Lab is located in BR 211

METHOD OF ANALYSIS DEPENDS DIRECTLY ON THE

DESIGN EMPLOYED!!!

Statistics Consulting Lab is located in BR 211

Principles of experimental design
1. Randomization
Randomization is one of the most important ideas
in designing an experiment; without it, there can be no conclusive evidence!!

Statistics Consulting Lab is located in BR 211

2. Replication
Important question…how many replicates do I
need? (replicate versus repeated)
Without replication, there can be no test for
interaction

Statistics Consulting Lab is located in BR 211

3. Blocking
Block or control variables that will influence the
outcome, but which you are not interested in. But be careful as to what your
blocking will do.

Statistics Consulting Lab is located in BR 211

The Statistics faculty
Dr. James Blum Varying Coefficient Models, Non-parametric
Regression, Categorical Data Analysis, Statistics
BR 211B Education
Dr. Edward Bayesian Modeling and Inference, Missing Data,
Boone Spatial Statistics, Time Series, Model Selection,
Statistical Simulation and Computation, Biological,
BR 225 Ecological and Environmental Applications
Dr. Dargan
Mathematical Statistics (Sequential Analysis,
Frierson
Nonparametric Statistics), Data Analysis, Statistics
Education
BR 211A
Dr.
Subramanyam
Kasala Multivariate Analysis, Time Series, Inference

BR 251
Dr. Shiva K.
Saksena Bayesian Methods, Inference, Simulation,
Biostatistics
BR 244
Dr. Susan
Simmons Hierarchical Models, Bayesian Inference, Decision
Theory, Statistical Computing, Statistics Education
BR 230
 Preparing for the
First Meeting
The primary purpose of the first meeting is to
familiarize the statistical consultant with your project
and objectives so that appropriate advice may be
given. Depending on the current state of your
project, this may involve many different issues. You
should be prepared to discuss any of the following as
appropriate to your progress to date:

• Objectives of your research and/or hypotheses

you wish to test.
• Methods of data collection and recording.
• Experimental and/or survey designs.
• Analysis methods--including those that are
considered "traditional" in your field of study.
• Statistical software packages.
• Your timetable for completion of the project and
its various stages.

With the above in mind, we offer answers to some

general questions you may have:

WHEN SHOULD THE FIRST CONSULTING MEETING TAKE PLACE?

The easiest answer is: As soon as possible.
Ideally, data collection and management
methods, experimental design(s), summary
procedures and analysis techniques would all be
in place from the outset. Early assistance on
design and data collection issues can often
result in less work for the experimenter, a
 smoother transition from the experimental
phase to the analysis phase and, possibly, better
results. Of course, this does not mean that
someone who has already conducted and
experiment and gather data would not be able to
receive help. We can offer assistance at any
stage of your project, but our motto is: "The
earlier, the better."
WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD I PLAN TO BRING TO THE FIRST MEETING?
Any formal or informal documents related to
your project (plans for experiment/research,
prospectus, articles/references to similar work in
the field) will be helpful of course. Any data you
have gathered and analyses/summaries you
have done--tables, graphs and the like. Also, any
collaborators who are available to aid in the
description of efforts undertaken so far and
questions of interest. In fact, we require that
the advisor or another committee member
be present at the first meeting for any
projects being undertaken by a graduate
student.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FIRST MEETING?
For people looking for confirmation of or
suggestions on a completed analysis, the first
meeting may well be the last. However, for most
people, further consulting services will be
necessary. It is one of the goals of the first
meeting to determine what level of involvement
is required on the part of the consultant and to
outline a plan of future collaboration.