Design of experiments, like any other scientific discipline, has its own terminology, methodology and subject of research. The title of this scientific discipline itself clearly indicates that it deals with experimental methods. A large number of experiments are done in research, development and optimization of the system.
Design of experiments, or experimental design, (DoE) is the design of all information-gathering exercises where variation is present, whether under the full control of the experimenter or not. (the latter situation is usually called an observational study). Often the experimenter is interested in the effect of some process or intervention (the "treatment") on some objects (the "experimental units"), which may be people, parts of people, groups of people, plants, animals, etc. Design of experiments is thus a discipline that has very broad application across all the natural and social sciences.
Design of Experiment (DoE) is a structured, organized method that is used to determine the relationship between the different factors (Xs) affecting a process and the output of that process (Y). When the results of these experiments are analyzed, they help to identify optimal conditions, the factors that most influence the results, and those that do not, as well as details such as the existence of interactions and synergies between factors.
Hence, wherever experiments exist there should be new scientific disciplines dealing with their designing and analysis. Experimental design is the sequence of steps initially taken to insure that the data will be obtained in such a way that its analysis will lead immediately to valid statistical inferences.
KEYWORDS: Design of experiments, optimization, Modeling. |