FOR40150 Experimental Design

Academic Year 2021/2022

The objective of this module is to develop an understanding of independent transparent analysis and interpretation of data from elementary univariate experimental designs. Emphasis will be placed on the application of experimental design in applied forestry research.

Topics covered may include: The basic concepts of experimentation: factors, treatments, replications, geospatial randomization of treatments to experimental units, response variable(s) and hypothesis testing. Fundamental equations of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the underlying assumptions.

Hypothesis testing of main and interaction effects. Concept of repeated measures designs and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Independent verification of ANOVA analyses using the Data Analysis Tools in Microsoft Excel. Transparent and independent analysis, interpretation and reporting of results from elementary experimental designs. There is no formal end of the trimester examination. There will be a research methods project.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Critically review basic concepts and models of experimental design.
2. Analyse the results of a designed experiment in order to conduct the appropriate statistical analysis of the data.
3. Interpret statistical results from an experiment and report them in non-technical language

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered may include: The basic concepts of experimentation,what makes a good variable variable, hypothesis testing, probability, randomization, confidence intervals. Fundamental equations for regression, t-test, correlation, chi square, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the underlying assumptions.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be taught using a blended approach. Short lectures will be delivered online; problem based learning will be undertaken during practical lab sessions. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: weekly assignments and a final project. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded Yes

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

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