Design of experiments

The branch of mathematical statistics dealing with the rational organization of measurements subject to random errors. One usually considers the following scheme. A function $f(\theta,x)$ is measured with random errors, these being dependent on unknown parameters (the vector $\theta$) and on variables $x$, which, at the experimenter's choice, may take values from some admissible set $X$. The purpose of the experiment is usually either to estimate all or some of the parameters $\theta$ or functions of them, or else to test certain hypotheses concerning $\theta$. The purpose of the experiment is used in formulating a criterion for the design's optimality. The design of an experiment is understood to mean the set of values given to the variables $x$ in the experiment.

References

[1]	V.V. Nalimov, N.A. Chernova, "Statistical methods of designing extremal experiments" , Moscow (1965) (In Russian)
[2]	V.V. Fedorov, "Theory of optimal experiments" , Acad. Press (1972) (Translated from Russian)
[3]	C. Hicks, "Basic principles of experiment design" , Moscow (1967) (In Russian; translated from English)
[4]	D. Finney, "An introduction to the theory of experimental design" , Univ. Chicago Press (1960)