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

Many experiments in engineering, science and business involve several factors. This course is an introduction to these types of multifactor experiments. The appropriate experimental strategy for these situations is based on the factorial design, a type of experiment where factors are varied together. This course focuses on designing these types of experiments and on using the ANOVA for analyzing the resulting data. These types of experiments often include nuisance factors, and the blocking principle can be used in factorial designs to handle these situations. As the number of factors of interest grows full factorials become too expensive and fractional versions of the factorial design are useful. This course will cover the benefits of fractional factorials, along with methods for constructing and analyzing the data from these experiments.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction to Factorial Design
Unit 2: The 2^k Factorial Design
Unit 3: Blocking and Confounding in the 2^k Factorial Design
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for learners with some prior knowledge in experimental design and statistics
Developed by Douglas C. Montgomery, a renowned professor in the field of statistics
Explores experimental design techniques, which are fundamental in various disciplines including engineering, science, and business
Covers topics such as factorial design, blocking, fractional factorials, and ANOVA, providing a comprehensive understanding of multifactor experiments
Provides practical knowledge applicable to real-world scenarios where multiple factors are involved

Save this course

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

Reviews summary

Mastering factorial and fractional experimental designs

According to students, this course provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to factorial and fractional factorial designs. Learners particularly praise the clear and effective explanations of complex statistical concepts and the direct applicability of the material to real-world engineering and research problems. However, some students note that the course assumes a solid background in basic statistics, and without it, the pace can be challenging. It is widely considered highly valuable for professionals seeking to apply experimental design principles.
The course maintains a fast pace and dives into significant theoretical depth.
"The pace was a bit fast for me in some sections, especially with the ANOVA concepts."
"I felt a bit overwhelmed by the theoretical depth at times."
"The content is dense, but the quality is high."
Content is directly applicable for engineers, scientists, and researchers.
"Highly recommended for anyone in R&D."
"Overall, very valuable for my work in quality control."
"This filled a significant gap in my knowledge for process optimization."
"Great for engineers and scientists looking to formalize their experimental approach."
The instructor provides highly clear explanations with real-world relevance.
"This course provided an incredibly thorough and practical understanding of factorial and fractional factorial designs. The lectures were clear, and the examples were highly relevant to real-world engineering problems."
"Excellent course! The structure from full factorial to fractional designs was logical and easy to follow. The professor clearly knows the material inside out."
"This course is a must-take for anyone dealing with experimental design. The concepts are explained beautifully, and the practical relevance is undeniable. I used what I learned directly in a project at work."
Some students suggest more hands-on exercises and software demonstrations.
"More practical exercises or guided software demos would have been beneficial."
"I think it could benefit from a few more case studies to illustrate practical challenges."
A strong background in basic statistics is essential for success.
"The course is definitely geared towards those with a solid foundation in basic statistics. If you're a beginner, prepare to do some extra reading on the side."
"I found it quite challenging without a strong background in statistics. The pace was a bit fast for me in some sections, especially with the ANOVA concepts."
"As a complete beginner to experimental design, I struggled significantly. The course assumes too much prior knowledge in statistics."

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 Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs with these activities:
Review the book 'Factorial Designs' by Douglas C. Montgomery
Reading and reviewing this book will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of factorial design concepts.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book from a library.
  • Read and take notes on the chapters relevant to the course material.
  • Summarize the key concepts and ideas in your own words.
Follow online tutorials on fractional factorial designs
Following online tutorials will provide you with a structured and interactive way to learn about fractional factorial designs.
Browse courses on Factorial Design
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on fractional factorial designs using platforms like Coursera, edX, or YouTube.
  • Choose a tutorial that aligns with your learning style and level.
  • Follow the tutorial steps and complete the exercises or assignments.
Join a study group to discuss factorial design concepts
Joining a study group will provide you with a platform to discuss and clarify concepts with peers, enhancing your understanding.
Browse courses on Factorial Design
Show steps
  • Find classmates who are interested in forming a study group.
  • Decide on a regular meeting time and place.
  • Take turns leading the discussions and presenting on specific topics.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice 2^k factorial design exercises
Practice solving 2^k factorial design exercises to improve your understanding of the concept.
Browse courses on Factorial Design
Show steps
  • Review the lecture notes on 2^k factorial design.
  • Attempt to solve the practice problems provided in the textbook.
  • Seek help from the instructor or classmates if needed.
Create a presentation on blocking in factorial design
Creating a presentation on blocking in factorial design will help you understand the concept and improve your communication skills.
Browse courses on Factorial Design
Show steps
  • Gather information on blocking in factorial design from textbooks, research papers, and online resources.
  • Organize the information into a logical flow for your presentation.
  • Create visual aids such as slides or diagrams to illustrate your points.
  • Practice your presentation and get feedback from peers or the instructor.
Attend a workshop on ANOVA for factorial design analysis
Attending a workshop on ANOVA for factorial design analysis will provide you with hands-on experience and improve your understanding.
Browse courses on Factorial Design
Show steps
  • Search for workshops on ANOVA for factorial design analysis in your area or online.
  • Register for the workshop and pay the registration fee.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
  • Follow up with the workshop organizers or instructors if you have any questions.
Contribute to an open-source project related to factorial design
Contributing to an open-source project will provide you with practical experience and enhance your understanding of real-world applications.
Browse courses on Factorial Design
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects related to factorial design on platforms like GitHub.
  • Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Contact the project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
  • Follow the project's guidelines and make your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. They also work on developing new technologies for the statistics industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs is a core foundational element of statistics that is required for success. The course covers the benefits of fractional factorials, along with methods for constructing and analyzing the data from these experiments, and an understanding of ANOVA for analyzing the resulting data.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers design and develop medical devices and equipment. They also work on developing new technologies for healthcare. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Biomedical Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of medical devices and equipment.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineers design and operate chemical plants and other facilities where chemicals are produced. They also work on developing new technologies for the chemical industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Chemical Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of chemical plants and other facilities.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They also work on developing new technologies for the construction industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Civil Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of infrastructure.
Computer Engineer
Computer Engineers design and build computers and other electronic devices. They also work on developing new technologies for the computer industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Computer Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of computers and other electronic devices.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design and build electrical systems and equipment. They also work on developing new technologies for the electrical industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Electrical Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of electrical systems and equipment.
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineers design and improve industrial processes. They also work on developing new technologies for the manufacturing industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Industrial Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of industrial processes.
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineers design and test aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. They also work on developing new technologies for these vehicles. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Aerospace Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and other mechanical devices. They also work on developing new technologies for the mechanical industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Mechanical Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of machines and other mechanical devices.
Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear Engineers design and operate nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities. They also work on developing new technologies for the nuclear industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Nuclear Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities.
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum Engineers design and operate oil and gas wells. They also work on developing new technologies for the petroleum industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Petroleum Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of oil and gas wells.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design and develop software. They also work on developing new technologies for the software industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Software Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of software.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design and develop complex systems. They also work on developing new technologies for the systems engineering industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Systems Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of complex systems.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. They also work on developing new technologies for the data science industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Data Scientists because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of data science models.
Materials Engineer
Materials Engineers design and develop new materials. They also work on developing new technologies for the materials industry. Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs may be useful for Materials Engineers because it can help them to design experiments to test the effects of different factors on the performance of new materials.

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs.
Classic textbook on the design and analysis of experiments, and it valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about factorial design. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topic, from the basics to advanced techniques.
Provides comprehensive coverage of the design and analysis of experiments, including factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals in engineering, science, and business.
Classic work on the design of experiments, and it must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the subject. It provides a clear and concise overview of the principles of experimental design, and it includes many examples.
Provides a more theoretical approach to the design and analysis of experiments, including factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.
More specialized treatment of fractional factorial design, and it good choice for readers who want to learn more about this topic. It provides a detailed discussion of the theory and practice of fractional factorial design, and it includes many examples.
Specialized treatment of experiments with mixtures, and it valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this topic. It provides a detailed discussion of the theory and practice of experiments with mixtures, and it includes many examples.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to linear regression analysis, including the use of factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals who need to use linear regression analysis in their work.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to Taguchi methods for quality engineering, including the use of factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals who need to design and analyze experiments using Taguchi methods.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to statistical methods for quality improvement, including the use of factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals who need to apply statistical methods for quality improvement to their work.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to response surface methodology, including the use of factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals who need to design and analyze experiments using response surface methodology.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to experiments with mixtures, including the use of factorial and fractional factorial designs. It valuable resource for students and professionals who need to design and analyze experiments with mixtures.

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