Introduction to Engineering Probability and Statistics - Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 1: The Role of Statistics in Engineering.

Engineer

A professional who solves problems of interest to society through the efficient application of scientific principles by refining existing products or processes or designing new ones.

Engineering Method

The systematic problem-solving procedure consisting of developing a clear description, identifying important factors, proposing or refining a model, manipulating the model, confirming the solution, and presenting conclusions and recommendations.

Statistics

The science of data that deals with the collection, presentation, analysis, and use of data to make decisions, solve problems, and design products and processes.

Variability

The phenomenon where successive observations of a system or phenomenon do not produce exactly the same result.

Statistical Thinking

The practice of incorporating knowledge of variability into decision-making processes.

Dot Diagram

A plot useful for displaying a small body of data up to about $20$ observations to easily reveal the location (middle) and scatter (variability) of the data.

Population

The entire group or complete set of observations, individuals, or items under study.

Sample

A subset of observations selected from a population.

Statistical Inference

The process of reasoning from a specific sample to draw conclusions about an entire population.

Descriptive Statistics

The branch of statistics consisting of organizing and summarizing data through numerical summaries, tables, and graphs.

Inferential Statistics

The branch of statistics using methods that take results from a sample, extend them to the population, and measure the reliability of the result.

Statistic

A numerical summary value based on data from a sample.

Parameter

A numerical summary value describing a characteristic of an entire population.

Retrospective Study

A data collection method using historical data collected in the past for other purposes.

Observational Study

A data collection method where data is presently collected by a passive observer without controlling process variables.

Designed Experiment

A data collection method where data is gathered in response to deliberate, controlled changes made to process inputs.

Hypothesis Test

A statistical inference method involving a statement about a system parameter compared to a claim, using collected data to support or refute the claim.

Factorial Experiment

An experimental design that uses every possible combination of factor levels across $k$ settings to form a basic experiment.

Fractional Factorial Experiment

A variation of a factorial design where certain combinations of factor levels are deleted from the experiment without degrading the model.

Deming's Funnel Experiment

An illustrative experiment conducted by W. Edwards Deming that demonstrates the dangers of process tampering or overcontrol.

Overcontrol (Tampering)

The practice of making unnecessary adjustments to a process in response to random disturbances, which increases overall process variation.

Control Chart

A graphical tool displaying process observations over time along with a center line and limits set at $3$ standard deviations to detect process shifts.

Enumerative Study

A statistical study performed on a lot or existing population, typically used for lot-by-lot acceptance sampling.

Analytic Study

A statistical study conducted on a process over time to control and improve future production.

Mechanistic Model

A model built directly from underlying theoretical knowledge of physical mechanisms, such as Ohm's Law $I = \frac{V}{R} + \epsilon$.

Empirical Model

A model built from scientific knowledge and experimental data when the functional form of the relationship is not known beforehand.

Regression Model

A type of empirical model that estimates the relationship between a response variable and one or more input variables.