We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Douglas C. Montgomery

This is a basic course in designing experiments and analyzing the resulting data. The course objective is to learn how to plan, design and conduct experiments efficiently and effectively, and analyze the resulting data to obtain objective conclusions. Both design and statistical analysis issues are discussed. Opportunities to use the principles taught in the course arise in all aspects of today’s industrial and business environment. Applications from various fields will be illustrated throughout the course. Computer software packages (JMP, Design-Expert, Minitab) will be used to implement the methods presented and will be illustrated extensively.

Read more

This is a basic course in designing experiments and analyzing the resulting data. The course objective is to learn how to plan, design and conduct experiments efficiently and effectively, and analyze the resulting data to obtain objective conclusions. Both design and statistical analysis issues are discussed. Opportunities to use the principles taught in the course arise in all aspects of today’s industrial and business environment. Applications from various fields will be illustrated throughout the course. Computer software packages (JMP, Design-Expert, Minitab) will be used to implement the methods presented and will be illustrated extensively.

All experiments are designed experiments; some of them are poorly designed, and others are well-designed. Well-designed experiments allow you to obtain reliable, valid results faster, easier, and with fewer resources than with poorly-designed experiments. You will learn how to plan, conduct and analyze experiments efficiently in this course.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Syllabus

Unit 1: Getting Started and Introduction to Design and Analysis of Experiments
Unit 2: Simple Comparative Experiments
Unit 3: Experiments with a Single Factor - The Analysis of Variance
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces foundational elements of designing and analyzing experiments, a common task in various work environments
Taught by Douglas C. Montgomery, a respected expert in the field
Emphasizes the practical aspects of experimental design, focusing on efficient and effective approaches
Utilizes industry-standard software packages for hands-on implementation of design and analysis methods
Provides a solid foundation for beginners looking to build a career in research or data-driven industries
May require students to have access to specific software or statistical packages for assignments and projects

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical experimental design with software

According to students, 'Experimental Design Basics' is a highly practical and foundational course that effectively demystifies complex statistical concepts. Learners say the instructor's explanations are incredibly clear, making advanced topics like ANOVA and Latin Squares digestible. A significant strength is the extensive integration of statistical software like JMP, Design-Expert, and Minitab, providing invaluable hands-on experience and enabling immediate application in professional settings. While largely positive, some past learners noted inconsistent production quality in older videos and a desire for more diverse real-world examples beyond typical manufacturing scenarios. The course is considered excellent for beginners, though a basic statistics background is helpful to optimize the learning pace.
Pacing may vary for learners, basic statistics is helpful.
"Sometimes I felt the pace was a bit slow for someone with a basic statistics background."
"For those new to statistics, it might be a bit overwhelming at times. It assumes a certain level of familiarity."
"For a beginner, it's fine, but intermediate users might find it too basic."
Builds a solid understanding of experimental design principles.
"This course is an absolute gem for anyone looking to grasp the fundamentals of experimental design."
"It's a good foundational course, especially strong on the theoretical aspects of ANOVA and blocking."
"I gained a solid foundation from completing this course."
"The course has a great balance of theory and practical application."
Extensive software use enhances practical application skills.
"The practical examples using JMP were super helpful, allowing me to immediately apply what I learned."
"The hands-on exercises with Design-Expert were invaluable."
"The inclusion of JMP and Minitab demos made it highly practical."
"The emphasis on statistical software (JMP was my choice) really cemented the concepts."
Complex concepts are explained in an accessible and engaging way.
"The instructor's explanations are incredibly clear, breaking down complex statistical concepts into digestible pieces."
"I found the instructor fantastic at explaining difficult topics like Latin Squares."
"This course demystified experimental design for me. The structured approach from simple experiments to more complex designs... was perfect."
"The explanations of concepts like randomization and replication were very clear."
Examples could be more diverse beyond manufacturing.
"I wished there were more diverse real-world case studies beyond manufacturing, perhaps in biology or social sciences."
"I had difficulty relating the examples to my specific field (marketing research)."
"The examples, while practical, were repetitive."
Some materials and video quality feel outdated.
"The production quality of some older videos was a bit low, making it hard to follow at times."
"The course materials seemed a bit outdated, and I had difficulty relating the examples to my specific field..."
"The lecture quality varied, and some of the older content felt dated."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Experimental Design Basics with these activities:
Review your notes from previous statistics courses
This course builds on concepts from previous statistics courses. Reviewing your notes can help you refresh your knowledge and better prepare you for this course.
Browse courses on Statistical Analysis
Show steps
  • Find your notes from previous statistics courses.
  • Review your notes.
Read a book on the design of experiments
This course covers the design and analysis of experiments in detail, and reading a book on the topic can help you solidify your understanding.
Show steps
  • Find a book on the design of experiments.
  • Read the book.
Watch tutorials on statistical analysis software
This course uses statistical analysis software to analyze the results of experiments. Watching tutorials on the software can help you become more proficient in using it.
Browse courses on Statistical Analysis
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on statistical analysis software.
  • Watch the tutorials.
  • Practice using the software.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Volunteer at a research lab
Volunteering at a research lab can give you hands-on experience with experimentation and data analysis.
Browse courses on Experimentation
Show steps
  • Find a research lab to volunteer at.
  • Apply to volunteer.
  • Volunteer at the research lab.
Create a presentation on the design of experiments
This course covers the design of experiments in detail, and creating a presentation on the topic can help you solidify your understanding and improve your presentation skills.
Browse courses on Experimentation
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your presentation.
  • Research the topic.
  • Create an outline for your presentation.
  • Develop the content for your presentation.
  • Practice your presentation.
Discuss the principles of experimentation with classmates
Discussing the principles of experimentation with classmates can help you solidify your understanding and learn from others' perspectives.
Browse courses on Experimentation
Show steps
  • Find a group of classmates to discuss the principles of experimentation with.
  • Meet with your group to discuss the principles of experimentation.
Attend a workshop on design of experiments
Attending a workshop on design of experiments can help you learn from experts and get hands-on experience.
Browse courses on Experimentation
Show steps
  • Find a workshop on design of experiments to attend.
  • Attend the workshop.
Run multiple experiments with different variables
Experimentation is a key component of this course, and completing this activity can help solidify your understanding of the design and analysis of experiments.
Browse courses on Experimentation
Show steps
  • Choose a variable to test.
  • Design an experiment to test the variable.
  • Conduct the experiment.
  • Analyze the results of the experiment.
  • Draw conclusions from the results of the experiment.
Participate in a design of experiments competition
Participating in a design of experiments competition can help you put your skills to the test and learn from others.
Browse courses on Experimentation
Show steps
  • Find a design of experiments competition to participate in.
  • Develop a design of experiments project.
  • Submit your project to the competition.

Career center

Learners who complete Experimental Design Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data analysts plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data. They then use this data to solve problems and make decisions. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for data analysts.
Statistician
Statisticians plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data. They then use this data to solve problems and make decisions. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for statisticians.
Market Researcher
Market researchers plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data about consumer behavior. They then use this data to help businesses make decisions about marketing products and services. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for market researchers.
Product Manager
Product managers plan, design, and conduct experiments to test new products and features. They then use this data to make decisions about how to improve products and services. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for product managers.
Business Analyst
Business analysts plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data about business processes. They then use this data to help businesses make decisions about how to improve operations. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for business analysts.
Quantitative Analyst
Quantitative analysts plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data about financial markets. They then use this data to make decisions about how to invest money. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for quantitative analysts.
Data Scientist
Data scientists plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data about a variety of topics. They then use this data to solve problems and make decisions. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for data scientists.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data about the causes of disease. They then use this data to develop strategies to prevent and control disease outbreaks. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for epidemiologists.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical research coordinators plan, design, and conduct experiments to test new drugs and treatments. They then use this data to help doctors make decisions about how to treat patients. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for clinical research coordinators.
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality assurance managers plan, design, and conduct experiments to test products and services to ensure they meet quality standards. They then use this data to make decisions about how to improve quality. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for quality assurance managers.
Operational Research Analyst
Operational research analysts plan, design, and conduct experiments to improve the efficiency of operations. They then use this data to make decisions about how to allocate resources and improve processes. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for operational research analysts.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze data about the causes of disease. They then use this data to develop new treatments and therapies. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for biostatisticians.
Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians plan, design, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes. They then use this data to help law enforcement officials solve crimes. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for forensic science technicians.
Actuary
Actuaries plan, design, and conduct experiments to assess the risks of insurance policies. They then use this data to help insurance companies set rates and make decisions about underwriting risk. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for actuaries.
Psychometrician
Psychometricians plan, design, and conduct experiments to measure psychological traits and abilities. They then use this data to help develop tests and assessments used in education, psychology, and other fields. The skills you will learn in this course, such as how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments, will be essential for success in this role. This course will also help you develop skills in statistical analysis, which is essential for psychometricians.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Experimental Design Basics.
Classic in the field of experimental design and is widely used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of experimental design and analysis, and is particularly useful for readers who want to learn more about the underlying theory and methodology of experimental design.
Is another excellent resource for learning about experimental design and analysis. It is particularly strong in its coverage of optimization techniques and valuable reference for readers who want to learn more about how to use experimental design to improve the performance of their systems or processes.
Provides a more gentle introduction to experimental design and analysis than the previous two books. It good choice for readers who are new to the field or who want a more accessible overview of the subject matter.
Provides a practical overview of statistical methods for quality improvement. It is particularly useful for readers who want to learn more about how to use experimental design and analysis to improve the quality of their products or services.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of mixture experiments. It valuable resource for readers who want to learn more about how to design and analyze experiments that involve mixtures of ingredients.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of response surface methodology. It valuable resource for readers who want to learn more about how to design and analyze experiments that involve response surfaces.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sequential clinical trials. It is particularly useful for readers who want to learn more about how to design and analyze sequential clinical trials.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser