There is an increasing need to rein in the cost of scientific study without sacrificing accuracy in statistical inference. Optimal design is the judicious allocation of resources to achieve the objectives of studies using minimal cost via careful statistical planning. Researchers and practitioners in various fields of applied science are now beginning to recognize the advantages and potential of optimal experimental design. "Applied Optimal Designs" is the first book to catalogue the application of optimal design to real problems, documenting its widespread use across disciplines as diverse as drug development, education and ground water modelling.

Includes contributions covering: Bayesian design for measuring cerebral blood-flow Optimal designs for biological models Computer adaptive testing Ground water modelling Epidemiological studies and pharmacological models

"Applied Optimal Designs" bridges the gap between theory and practice, drawing together a selection of incisive articles from reputed collaborators. Broad in scope and inter-disciplinary in appeal, this book highlights the variety of opportunities available through the use of optimal design. The wide range of applications presented here should appeal to statisticians working with optimal designs, and to practitioners new to the theory and concepts involved.

The increasing cost of research means that scientists are in more urgent need of optimal design theory to increase the efficiency of parameter estimators and the statistical power of their tests.

The objectives of a good design are to provide interpretable and accurate inference at minimal costs. Optimal design theory can help to identify a design with maximum power and maximum information for a statistical model and, at the same time, enable researchers to check on the model assumptions.

This Book: Introduces optimal experimental design in an accessible format.Provides guidelines for practitioners to increase the efficiency of their designs, and demonstrates how optimal designs can reduce a study's costs.Discusses the merits of optimal designs and compares them with commonly used designs.Takes the reader from simple linear regression models to advanced designs for multiple linear regression and nonlinear models in a systematic manner.Illustrates design techniques with practical examples from social and biomedical research to enhance the reader's understanding.

Researchers and students studying social, behavioural and biomedical sciences will find this book useful for understanding design issues and in putting optimal design ideas to practice.