This version of the course guide is provisional until the period for editing the new course guides ends.

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Experimental Design

Code: 104862 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Applied Statistics OB 2

Contact

Name:
Llorenē Badiella Busquets
Email:
llorenc.badiella@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

Knowledge in:

  • Calculus
  • Descriptive Statistics
  • Statistical Programming
  • Statistical Inference
  • Statistical sampling

Objectives and Contextualisation

The objectives of the subject are to learn to design and analyze experiments using the following techniques:

  • Analysis of the variance of one and several factors.
  • Analysis of the variance with blocks, nested factors, fractional designs with interaction
  • Analysis of Covariance and other special designs.

The subject is also intended to familiarize students with the use of SAS software.


Learning Outcomes

  1. CM09 (Competence) Assess the suitability of the models with the correct use and interpretation of indicators and graphs.
  2. KM12 (Knowledge) Provide the experimental hypotheses of modelling, considering the technical and ethical implications involved.
  3. SM12 (Skill) Interpret the results obtained to formulate conclusions about the experimental hypotheses.
  4. SM14 (Skill) Use graphs to visualise the fit and suitability of the model.

Content

Principles of Experimental Design.

  • Objective
  • Hypothesis
  • Variables
  • Bias control.
  • Common designs
  • Calculate sample size

Review Inference 1 and 2 populations:

  • 1 Sample, known sigma
  • 1 Sample unknown sigma
  • 2 independent samples known sigma
  • 2 independent samples unknown sigma
  • 2 paired samples

1: ANOVA 1 Fully Randomized Factor

  • Variance decomposition
  • Model and ANOVA Table
  • Contrasts
  • Separation of Means - LSD / Bonferroni / Scheffe / Tukey
  • Verification of the model (Levene Test, Waste Chart, Normality)

 2: ANOVA 1 Block

  • Fixed / Random Factor
  • Variance decomposition
  • Model and ANOVA Table

3: ANOVA 1 Factor with Complete Blocks

  • Model and ANOVA Table
  • Verification of the model
  • Cross-Over Studies

4: ANOVA 1 Factor Blocks InComplete

  • Latin squares
  • Model and ANOVA Table

5: ANOVA 2 Factors

  • Model and ANOVA Table
  • Separation of Means - SNK / Dunnet / Other methods

6: ANOVA 2 Factors with Interaction

  • Model and ANOVA Table
  • Interactions
  • Separation of Means - SNK / Dunnet / Other methods


7: ANOVA with Sub-Replicates

  • Model and ANOVA Table

8: ANCOVA

  • Model and ANOVA Table

9: ANCOVA with Interactions

  • Model and ANOVA Table
  • Interactions

10: Other models

  • Basic concepts of Screening Design
  • Basic Concepts of Factorial Design 2k
  • Basic concepts of the Surface Response method

Software

  • R
  • SAS System
  • SAS Enterprise Guide

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Report 20 0.8
Theory 60 2.4
Type: Supervised      
Prąctiques 25 1

Concepts related to the design of studies and experiments will be exposed in theoretical sessions.

These sessions will be complemented by practical sessions in a computer lab, where datasets will be analyzed using statistical software.

All the above concepts will be applied through an experimental project that can be carried out in groups.

Regarding the use of artificial intelligence tools, they are only permitted for reviewing the text of the reports, both for the practical sessions and the final project.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exam 50 15 0.6 CM09, KM12, SM12, SM14
Intermediate Exam 15 10 0.4 CM09, KM12, SM12, SM14
Practical Sessions 10 10 0.4 SM12, SM14
Report 25 10 0.4 CM09, KM12, SM12, SM14

Continuous Assessment:

Project: 25%
Practices: 10%
Midterm Exam: 15%
Final Exam: 50% (Minimum grade: 4)

Reassessment:

The final grade will be the higher of the following two options:

Reassessment Exam: 100%
Project: 30% + Reassessment Exam: 70% (Minimum grade: 4)

Single Assessment:

Students who opt for the single assessment modality must take a final test consisting of:

A written exam with theoretical questions and problem-solving. A practical exam conducted on a computer
This test will take place on the same day, time, and location as the Final Exam. Students who do not attend this test without a justified reason will receive a grade of NOT ASSESSED.

If the grade obtained is below 5, the student may retake the exam on the same day, time, and location as the Reassessment Exam.

 


Bibliography

References

  • Estadística para investigadores – Box, Hunter, Hunter – Ed. Reverté
  • Estadística. Modelos y Series Temporales. Daniel Peña – Ed. Alianza
  • Principles and procedures of statistics, a biometrical approach 2nd Ed – Steel, Torrie – McGraw Hill
  • Biostatistics: A foundation for analysis in the health sdciences. 4th Ed – Steel, Torrie – John Willey & Sons
  • Design and Analysis of Experiments – Dean , Voss –  Springer-Verlag New York, 1999
  • Peña, D. (1998) Estadística. Modelos y Métodos. Tomo I: Fundamentos. Alianza Universidad Textos.
  • Montgomery, DC. (2001). Design and Analysis of Experiments. John Willey and sons.

Software

SAS and R


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Catalan second semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 2 Catalan second semester afternoon
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester afternoon