Brittany Williams

INSY7300 Homework 1
29 August 2014
1.1. Suppose that you want to design an experiment to study the
proportion of unpopped kernels of popcorn. Complete steps 1-3 of
the guidelines for designing experiments. Are there any major
sources of variation that would be difficult to control?
1. Recognition of and statement of the problem. In a given sample,
how many kernels were
2. Selection of the response variable. The response variables would
the number of unpopped kernels and the total number of kernels in
a bag.
3. Choice of factors, levels, and ranges.
a. Factors and levels:
i. Cook time
1. 2 minutes
2. 3 minutes
ii. Brand
1. Act II
2. Orville
iii. Cook setting
1. High power (80%)
2. Low power (40%)
1.8. What is replication? Why do we need replication in an
experiment? Present an example that illustrates the difference
between replication and repeated measures.
Replication indicates an independent repeat run of each factor combination.
Replication allows the experimenter to obtain an estimate of the
experimental error and the true mean response for one of the experiments
factor levels.
You want to determine which soda combination is most refreshing: soda
(Mountain Dew, Coke, Sprite) and temperature (with or without ice).
Repeated measures experiment: Each respondent tries only coke with
ice and provides a refreshment rating. Next they try coke without ice
and provide a refreshment rating. This is repeated until each factor
combination has been tested.
Replication experiment: the respondent tries the 3 brands of soda with
ice and without ice, in random order, and provides a refreshment rating
for each combination. So the three sodas are treated in each
temperature setting, so there are three replicates obtained.
1.9. Why is randomization important in an experiment?
Randomization is important to mitigate the introduction of systematic bias
into the experimental results. Randomization also satisfies the requirement

that observations or errors are to be independently distributed random

variables.
1.10. What are the potential risks of a single large, comprehensive
experiment in contrast to a sequential approach?
In a single large, comprehensive experiment, it is assumed that you know the
objective and all of the important factors. However, if you do an initial
screening experiment, analyze that data, and continue to experiment based
off that information, you may have a better understanding of what the
important factors are, the impact of interaction effects, etc.
B. Describe how this course can help you in your work (or intended
future career).
I worked on a project to redesign an attribute of a medical device, so that the
device would meet specific Japanese design requirements. The body of the
device was to remain the same; only a single interior feature was to change. I
came up with four design options, and tested a number of variables to
determine the most optimized design. If I had already had this course, the
DOE would have been better approached! I plan to re-enter industry so
having a better understanding of DOE will definitely be beneficial for future
projects.