Teaching Statistical Experimental Design Using a Laboratory Experiment

Abstract

Abstract An experimental project introduces the concepts of statistical experimental design to undergraduates in a laboratory setting. A safe, inexpensive and easily operable experiment uses a gas chromatograph to give quantitative results and to allow students to concentrate on applying statistical skills without being impeded by complex equipment or experimental methods. One of the unique aspects of the experiment is a trade‐off between the two most significant variables, forcing students to compromise in the selection of optimum conditions. Such compromises are typical in many real‐world industrial situations. The experiment has been used for several years in the undergraduate chemical engineering laboratories at the University of North Dakota. Keywords: Statistics, Experimental Design, Laboratory.