Stat 305, Fall 2014

Name

Chapter 2: Data Collection

Sampling in Enumerative Studies
Simple Random Sample (SRS)
Sample collected from the population of size N in such a manner that every collection
of n items is equally likely to compose the sample.
Must be taken randomly to ensure correct statistical results.
Can protect from conscious and subconscious human bias (must be fair).
Common practice to use n to represent sample size and N to represent population
size.
Methods for selecting a random sample:
Use of random number generators built into computers (mechanical devices) i.e. Computers, lottery machines, etc.
Tables of random digits
Ask this guy:

(P.S. Dont just ask that guy.)

Random Number Table
To use:
1. Let N be the size of your population you wish to sample from.
2. Let M be the number of digits in N.
3. Give every item in your population a label (1 through N).
4. Select labels by moving left to right, top to bottom.
5. Circle M digits at a time and accept a label if it is between 1 and N.
Note: Ignore repeats and unused labels.

Example
Suppose you have a population of 520. Find the labels of the items that make up a random
sample of 8 items using Table 2.2.
Table 2.2
12159 66144
30156 90519
59069 01722
54107 58081
99681 81295

05091
95785
53338
82470
06315

13446
47544
41942
59407
28212

45653
66735
65118
13475
45029

13684
35754
71236
95872
57701

66024
11088
01932
16268
96327

91410
67310
70343
78436
85436

51351
19720
25812
39251
33614

22772
08379
62275
64247
29070

Principles for Effective Experimentation

Response Variable
One that is monitored as characterizing system performance
System output of interest

Concomitant (Accompanying) Variable

Observed in an experiment
Neither a primary response nor a supervised variable
Can change in reaction to experimental or observed causes and may or may not have
an impact on the response

Supervised Variable
One over which an investigator exercises power, choosing the settings for use.
Controlled Variable A supervised variable that is held fixed by investigator; Only
has 1 setting
Experimental Variable A supervised variable that is purposefully manipulated by
investigator; One with different settings in a study

Example: Fracture strength of bricks

We know temperature and humidity may play a role in the fracture strength of the bricks.
Only temperature is of interest so humidity will be held constant by doing every run in the
same room without changing internal conditions. We will also observe the mold from which
each brick came.
Response:

Controlled variable:

Experimental variable:

Concomitant variable:

Extraneous variables
Any variable in an experiment that affects the response, whether thought of or not, that is
not of interest to the experimenter.
e.g. Bricks: Mold, Humidity, Machine used to make bricks, brick makers
Ways to deal with extraneous variables:
Hold constant: treat them as controlled variable (e.g. Humidity)
Blocking: A block is a homogeneous group within which different levels of primary
experimental variables can be applied and compared in a relatively uniform environment (e.g. put bricks into blocks according to the mold they came from. Study only
within the blocks)
Randomization: experimental objects are divided between experimental conditions
at random, or order of testing is randomly determined (e.g. randomly assign bricks
to the heat settings.)
Note: Do not apply the same heat to all the bricks from one mold!

Other important points:

Common advice: control and block for what you can, randomize for all else.
Replication is required . . .
Within a study; important to get multiple measurements
About a study; evidence that things are reproducible/repeatable

Example: Joint Strength

Students experimented with three different woods and three different glues to investigate
joint strength properties. Their primary interest was in the effects of experimental variables
Wood Type and Glue Type on two response variables - joint strength in a tension test and
joint strength in a shear test.
They also recognized that strengths were probably related to variables Drying Time and
Pressure applied to the joints while drying. To manage Time and Pressure they held them
constant across the 9 combinations of Wood Type and Glue Type.
After the study, the students realized that some of the variation they observed in responses
could be attributed to the moisture content of the specimens which they did not measure.
Response variables:

Experimental variables:

Controlled variables:

Concomitant variable: