An introduction to optimal designs for social andbiomedical research

Optimal design theory combats the problems researchers find when trying to meet the necessary objectives of experimental research. It can help reduce the costs involved, and means fewer observations are needed to find real effects, leading to ethical benefits such as smaller sample sizes. This book will provide guidelines to implement such increased efficiency in the readers research. Although there has been a growth in the literature on optimal design in social and biomedical research, there are few books on optimal designs, and currentlynone aimed at this market. Previous texts have focused on analytical solutions, and required a strong mathematical background, largely excluding this bookstarget audience. This book will take a less formal approach, making the subject more accessible, with only a basic knowledge of statistical methods and minimal calculus required. Each chapter will follow a similar, user-friendly pattern, introducing the statistical model, discussing design issues, and then developing the optimal design. Beginning with an introduction to the stages of research, each subsequent chapter is dedicated to a specific design. The reader is guided from basic designs for simple linear models, through to designs for advanced repeated measures and nonlinear models. Mathematical formulae will bepresented when it enhances understanding of the material, and references for technical details, will be provided. Practical examples and problems from relevant social and biomedical research will further enhance the readers understanding, and web-based resources for constructing designs and determining sample size are provided in a final, summarizing chapter.

• ISBN: 978-0-470-69450-3
• Editorial: John Wiley & Sons
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 376
• Fecha Publicación: 22/05/2009
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés