08-Mar-18

ME-5102
Research Methodology &
Design of Experiments
Lect. # 1
Introduction to Research
Methodology & DOE

Dr. Nazeer Ahmad Anjum

Mechanical Engineering Program
University of Engineering Taxila

Books 2
Text Book:
1. DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTS by
Douglas C. Montgomery.
2. Design and Analysis of Experiments By: M. N. DAS
3. Experimental Design and Analysis By Howard J.
Seltman
4. Research Methodology (Methods & Techniques) By C.
R. Kothari

Reference Books:
1. Research Methodology By: Dr. Y. K. Singh
2. Research Methodology By: Rajit Kumar

Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila

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Course Objectives 3
• Understanding some basic concepts of research and its
methodologies
• Identify appropriate research topics
• Standard Deviation & Variance
• Introduction to Probability
• Select and define appropriate research problem and
parameters
• Sampling & Sampling Distributions
• Regression Analysis
• Prepare a project proposal (to undertake a project)
• Organize and conduct research (advanced project) in a
more appropriate manner
• Write a research report and thesis
• Write a research proposal (grants)
• Testing of Hypothesis
• Factorial Analsis Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila 08-Mar-18

Learning Objectives 4
After completing this course, you will be able to:

 Decide whether to run a DOE to solve a problem or

optimize a system.
 Set-Up a Full Factorial DOE Test Matrix, in both
Randomized and Blocked forms.
 Analyze and Interpret Full Factorial DOE Results
using ANOVA, (when relevant) Regression, and
Graphical methods.
 Set-Up a Fractional (Partial) Factorial DOE, using the
Confounding Principle.
 Analyze and Interpret the results of a Fractional
Factorial DOE.
Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila
08-Mar-18

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Pre-requisite 5
Participants should have an excellent working
knowledge of the following topics:
1. Calculation & interpretation of centrality and
dispersion indicators: mean, median,
standard deviation, standard error,
coefficient of variation, quartiles,
interquartile range
2. Use of Box-plots
3. The hypothesis testing approach
4. Confidence interval and p-values
5. α and β risks and their impact on the scope
and the precision of the results
6. Power and sample size
Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila
08-Mar-18

Design of Experiments 6
Design of Experiments (DOE) is a methodology
that can be effective for general problem-solving,
as well as for improving or optimizing product
design and manufacturing processes. Specific
applications of DOE include:
1. Identifying proper design dimensions
2. Tolerances,
3. Achieving robust designs,
4. Generating predictive math models that
describe physical system behavior, and
5. Determining ideal manufacturing settings.

Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila

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Design of Experiments 7
Robust Designs
Reducing variation in a product without eliminating
the causes of the variation. This variation
(sometimes called noise) can come from a variety
of factors.
Three main Factors:
Internal variation is due to deterioration such as
the wear of a machine, and aging of materials.
External variation is a factor relating to
environmental conditions such as temperature,
humidity and dust.
Unit to Unit variation is variations between parts
due to variations in material, processes and
equipment. Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila 08-Mar-18

Design of Experiments 8
This subject utilizes hands-on activities to help you learn
the criteria for running a DOE,
The requirements and pre-work necessary prior to
DOE execution, and
How to select the appropriate designed experiment
type to run.
You will experience setting up, running, and
analyzing the results of simple-to-intermediate
complexity, Full Factorial, Partial Factorial, and
Response Surface experiments utilizing manual
methods as well as a hands-on computer tool that
facilitates experimental design and data analysis.
You will also receive an overview of Robust DOE,
including the Taguchi DOE Method. 08-Mar-18
Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila

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Research and Development 9

R T D
Basic Technology Product
Research Development Development
• Discovery process • Loosely structured • Structured methods
• No set timing • Difficult to plan • Planned timing
• Unpredictable returns • Less predictable • Predictable outcome
• Long term • Medium term • Short term

Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila

08-Mar-18

Changing Dimensions of Competition 10

Manufacturing: Product Development:

Cost and Quality Features and Function

Competitiveness today is more than ever based on

product Design & development capability.
Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila
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Who Designs and Develops Products?11

Product design & development is an
interdisciplinary activity requiring contributions
from nearly all the functions of a firm; however,
three functions are almost always central to a
product Design & development project:
1. Marketing: The marketing function mediates the
interactions between the firm and its customers.
Marketing often facilitates the identification of
product opportunities, the definition of market
segments, and the identification of customer needs.
Marketing also typically arranges for communication
between the firm and its customers, sets target
prices, and oversees the launch and promotion of
the product. Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila
08-Mar-18

Who Designs and Develops Products?12

2. Design: The design function plays the lead role
in defining the physical form of the product to
best meet customer needs. The design function
includes engineering design (mechanical,
electrical, software, etc.) and industrial design
(aesthetics, ergonomics, user interfaces).
3. Manufacturing: The manufacturing function is
primarily responsible for designing, operating,
and/or coordinating the production system in
order to produce the product. Broadly defined,
the manufacturing function also often includes
purchasing, distribution, and installation. This
collection of activities is sometimes called the
supply chain. Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila
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DFM 13
 How many parts
 How many different parts
 How many mfg steps.
 How many assembly processes

Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila

08-Mar-18

Component Elimination Example: Rollbar Redesign 14

 8 Parts
 4 different parts
 multiple mfg. & assembly
processes necessary

 24 Parts
 8 different parts
 multiple mfg. & assembly
processes necessary
 4 Parts  2 Parts
 3 different parts  2 Mfg. processes
 3 mfg. & assembly processes  one assembly step
necessary
Dr. Nazeer A. Anjum MED, UET, Taxila
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Concept of Research 15
Which of these can be classified as research?
1. Mr. X prepared a paper on “computer usage in secondary
schools” after reviewing literature on the subject available
in his university library and called it a piece of research.
2. Mr. Y says that he has researched and completed a
document which gives information about the age of his
students, their results, their parents income and
distance of their schools from the District Office.
3. Mr. Z participated in a workshop on curriculum
development and prepared what he calls, a research
report on the curriculum for building technicians. He did
this through a literature survey on the subject and by
discussing with the participants of the workshop.

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Concept of Research 16

NONE of the previous examples can be

classified under the name research.

WHY ?
You will know it when you have understood
the concept of the term „research‟.

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Concept of Research 17
Now consider the following case:
 A general manager of a car producing company was
concerned with the complaints received from the car users
that the car they produce have some problems with rating
sound at the dash board and the rear passenger seat after
few thousand kilometers of driving.
 He obtained information from the company workers to
identify the various factors influencing the problem.
 He then formulated the problem and generated guesses
(hypotheses).
 He constructed a checklist and obtained requisite
information from a representative sample of cars.
 He analyzed the data thus collected, interpreted the results
in the light of his hypotheses and reached conclusions.
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Concept of Research 18
Explaining of Research:
1. In the previous example it can be noted that the
researcher went through a sequence of steps
which were in order and thus systematic.
2. Secondly, the researcher did not just jump at
the conclusions, but used a scientific method
of inquiry in reaching at conclusions.
3. The two important characteristics of research
are :
I. Systematic
II. Scientific Method of Enquiry

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Concept of Research 19
What is Research?
Research is systematic, because it follows certain
steps that are logical in order. These steps are:
• Research follows a scientific method.
• This means that it makes an integrated use of
inductive (generate new theories from
observed data) and deductive (to test an
existing theory) reasoning.
• This makes it very useful for explaining and/or
predicting phenomena.
• The basic assumption of the scientific method is
that every effect has a cause.
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Concept of Research 20
What is Research?
• Understanding the nature of problem to be
studied and identifying the related area of
knowledge.
• Reviewing literature to understand how others
have approached or dealt with the problem.
• Collecting data in an organized and controlled
manner so as to arrive at valid decisions.
• Analyzing data appropriate to the problem.
• Drawing conclusions and making
generalizations.
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Concept of Research 21
What is Research?
• It starts with the construction of hypotheses from
casual observations and background
knowledge (inductive reasoning) to reasoning out
consequences or implications of hypotheses
(deductive reasoning) followed by testing of the
implications and confirmation or rejection of the
hypotheses.
• Integrated use of inductive and deductive
reasoning is, therefore, the essence of scientific
method.

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