Statistics for Experimenters: Design, Innovation, and Discovery , 2nd Edition [Hardcover]

George E. P. Box (Author), J. Stuart Hunter (Author), William G. Hunter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471718130 | ISBN-13: 978-0471718130 | Publication Date: May 31, 2005 | Edition: 2

A Classic adapted to modern times

Rewritten and updated, this new edition of Statistics for Experimenters adopts the same approaches as the landmark First Edition by teaching with examples, readily understood graphics, and the appropriate use of computers. Catalyzing innovation, problem solving, and discovery, the Second Edition provides experimenters with the scientific and statistical tools needed to maximize the knowledge gained from research data, illustrating how these tools may best be utilized during all stages of the investigative process. The authors’ practical approach starts with a problem that needs to be solved and then examines the appropriate statistical methods of design and analysis.

Providing even greater accessibility for its users, the Second Edition is thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the changes in techniques and technologies since the publication of the classic First Edition.

Among the new topics included are:

• Graphical Analysis of Variance
• Computer Analysis of Complex Designs
• Simplification by transformation
• Hands-on experimentation using Response Service Methods
• Further development of robust product and process design using split plot arrangements and minimization of error transmission
• Introduction to Process Control, Forecasting and Time Series
• Illustrations demonstrating how multi-response problems can be solved using the concepts of active and inert factor spaces and canonical spaces
• Bayesian approaches to model selection and sequential experimentation

An appendix featuring Quaquaversal quotes from a variety of sources including noted statisticians and scientists to famous philosophers is provided to illustrate key concepts and enliven the learning process.

All the computations in the Second Edition can be done utilizing the statistical language R. Functions for displaying ANOVA and lamba plots, Bayesian screening, and model building are all included and R packages are available online. All theses topics can also be applied utilizing easy-to-use commercial software packages.

Complete with applications covering the physical, engineering, biological, and social sciences, Statistics for Experimenters is designed for individuals who must use statistical approaches to conduct an experiment, but do not necessarily have formal training in statistics. Experimenters need only a basic understanding of mathematics to master all the statistical methods presented. This text is an essential reference for all researchers and is a highly recommended course book for undergraduate and graduate students.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a very well written book that every design engineering and design technician needs to own." (IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, May/June 2008)

"…very few of our profession would fail to benefit from and enjoy reading it." (Journal of the American Statistical Association, December 2006)

"...belongs on the shelf on every industrial statistician. There is much wisdom and depth here, and the improvements embodied in this new edition are substantial enough to recommend it even to those who already possess the first edition." (The American Statistician, November 2006)

"...remains one of the essential books in experimental design and analysis...buying the second edition is absolutely worth the effort..." (MAA Reviews, August 18, 2006)

"…the new edition is a significant improvement on what was already a classic." (AIChE Journal, July 2006)

"Is it really possible to update a well-known, classic textbook and improve it? Yes, it is not only possible but it has been done." (Technometrics, May 2006)

"...it often happens that there is no statistician around when you desperately need one - then it may be useful to pull this from your laboratory textbook shelf." (Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, February 2006)

"A very useful and valuable statistics book…highly recommended." (CHOICE, February 2006)

"This is an excellent book indeed. Like the first edition, this book will soon become a must for all experimenters and educators/trainers. I would strongly recommend this book to everyone." (Journal of Quality Technology, January 2006)

"This text is, undoubtedly, an essential reference for all researchers and an invaluable course book for undergraduate and graduate students." (Mathematical Reviews, 20006b)

"...this is a welcome second edition of a much loved book...valuable..." (International Statistical Institute, January 2006)

From the Back Cover

The new classic

For many years, the First Edition of Statistics for Experimenters has been a premier guide and reference for the application of statistical methods, especially as applied to experimental design. Rewritten and updated, this new edition of Statistics for Experimenters adopts the same approach as the landmark First Edition by demonstrating through worked examples, readily understood graphics, and the appropriate use of computers. Catalyzing innovation, problem solving, and discovery, the Second Edition provides experimenters with the scientific and statistical tools needed to maximize the knowledge gained from investigation and research. The authors' practical approach starts with a problem that needs to be solved and then illustrates the statistical methods best utilized in all stages of design and analysis.

Providing even greater accessibility for its users, the Second Edition reflects new techniques and technologies developed since the publication of the classic First Edition.

Among the new topics included are:

• Graphical analysis of variance
• Computer analysis to determine best follow-up runs
• Simplification by transformation
• Hands-on experimentation using response surface methods
• Further development of robust product and process design using split-plot arrangements and minimization of error transmission
• Introduction to process control, forecasting, and time series
• Illustrations demonstrating how multiresponse problems can be solved using the concepts of active and inert factor spaces and canonical spaces
• Bayesian approaches to model selection and sequential experimentation
• Applications for Six Sigma initiatives in a variety of disciplines
• Aappendix featuring Quaquaversal quotes from noted statisticians, scientists, and philosophers that embellish key concepts and enliven the learning process

Computations in the Second Edition can be done utilizing the statistical language R. Functions for displaying ANOVA and lambda plots, Bayesian screening, and model building are all included, and R packages are available on a related FTP site. These topics can also be applied utilizing easy-to-use commercial software packages.

Complete with applications covering the physical, engineering, biological, and social sciences, Statistics for Experimenters is designed for all individuals who must use statistical approaches to conduct an experiment. Experimenters need only a basic understanding of mathematics to master all the statistical methods presented. This text is an essential reference for all researchers and an invaluable course book for undergraduate and graduate students.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 664 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 2 edition (May 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471718130
• ISBN-13: 978-0471718130
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Methodology & Statistics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars classic revised, February 22, 2008

By 

Michael R. Chernick "statman31147" (Holland PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Statistics for Experimenters: Design, Innovation, and Discovery , 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

I am a mathematical statistician and I appreciate and understand modern books on experimental designs such as the book by Wu and Hamada. However, the first edition of this book became an immediate classic because George Box is a genius and is from a rare breed of statisticians who have strong theoretical and practical experience in statistical methods and in this case statistical design. Stu Hunter and Bill Hunter are two other statisticians with strong applied backgrounds in engineering and other applications of experimental design. Before you can appreciate the theory you need to understand the theory. The first edition of this book presented the concepts beautifully. This was a great help to me as I had learned the theory and the construction of factorial designs, fractional factorial designs and incomplete block designs, but never had a clear understanding of when to use them until I read this book. Other important simple designs of great practical importance are also covered extremely well.

I wrote a review of the first edition of this text. Justin Hunter appreciated it so much that he wrote a very touching email to me on this and he was very kind to send me a complimentary copy of the second edition. Justin is the son of Bill Hunter. Unfortunately Bill past away before this second edition was conceived. I believe it was partly as a tribute to Bill that George Box and Stu Hunter put together this revised edition. The spirit and philosophy of the first edition has been maintained and since the first edition had appear way back in 1978 the production of an updated edition is welcome and way over due.

Please read the book review by Justin Hunter. He is very upfront about his bias for his father but what he writes is honest and comes from an interesting and unique perspective.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long-awaited update to a classic, October 16, 2005

By 

K. Fung (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Statistics for Experimenters: Design, Innovation, and Discovery , 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This is the best applied book in any scientific or mathematical subject that I have ever read. The reviewers who are looking for equations and the typical assumptions-theory-proof presentation just picked up the wrong book.

If you're interested in applying experimental design to real-world problems, this book is indispensable. The authors help you get inside the math and really understand the important and often profound issues. It is easy to write a book that regurgitates equations and proofs; it is a major accomplishment to bring to bear decades of practical insights.

I still need to read the 2nd edition in detail and I plan to spend as much time as needed. Based on my brief reading of selected sections, the authors have retained the same style which has made their 1st edition a classic.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book Updated, July 25, 2005

By 

John Hunter "johnhunter.com" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Statistics for Experimenters: Design, Innovation, and Discovery , 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

A classic updated. The first edition, written in 1978, has 8 ratings of 5 stars and one of 4 stars ("due to it's age") on Amazon.

As Six Sigma grew in popularity many more organizations discovered the power of design of experiments, as developed by Sir Ronald Fisher. George Box, was his student. He built on the ideas of Fisher and together with the other authors created a book that had already become the classic reference for designed experiments and how to apply statistics to improve results before the term "Six Sigma" was coined. The new edition retains the clear and friendly writing style of the original and adds some new tools to the experimenters toolbox (as mentioned in the publishers text above).

I am biased as my father was one of the 3 authors of the original book and the second edition is dedicated to him. Luckily, you don't have to take my word for it, many others regard this book as the primary resource for design of experiments.

Statistics for Experimenters is a tool that is used frequently (not a book gathering dust on the shelf) by many experimenters, engineers, Six Sigma experts and others as they use experiments to learn, innovate and improve.