Module 1

Role of Statistics in Engineer

Engineering
MODULE IN
ENGINEERING DATA ANALYSIS
ENGGMATH 3

ENGINEERING DATA ANALYSIS

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 MODULE 1: ROLE OF STATISTICS IN ENGINEERING
(For AUGUST 24-31,, 2020)

This module aims to explain engineering problem solving process and describe the
application of statistics in the process. Also, it explains the three methods of data
collection:: retrospective study, observational study, and designed experiment. As well as
to distinguish between enumerative and analytical studies, and explain the difference
between mechanistic and empirical models.

PRE-ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY:

Activity No. 1.
Personal Essay. You are required to complete this pre-assesssment
assesssment activity in our Google
Class. The output should look like what is being prsented below (on a short bond paper
with 1-inch
inch margin on all sides). It can be computerized or handwritten
handwritten. Further instructions
are given in our Google Class.

Activity No. 1
Pre-Assessment
Assessment Activity for Module 1: Personal Essay on “Statistics”

NGGMATH 3
Name: ___________________________________ Course Number: EN
Code: 3833 Date Submitted: ______________________
_______________

∎ PERSONAL ESSAY ∎

In
n your own words, explain what statistics is about?

Statistics is relevant to my field because

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 The role of Statistics in Engineering is indispensable. Almost all processes in
engineering can be modelled using statistical methods. For example, a statistical model
called regression can be used in the design and analysis of complex engineering systems.
There are available statistical methods to model transporation
transporation system and soil properties
eotechnical civil engineering works. In general, statistics can be used to analyze
for geotechnical
material properties, componet dimensions, tolerance, abrication process control, and
many others.

1.1. What is Statistics?

Statistics is a science that deals with the collection

collection of procedures and techniques that
are used to convert data into meaningful information in a certain environment.

Statistics can be divided into two areas namely, descriptive statistics and inferential
statistics.

Descriptive statistics consists of the collection, organization, summarization, and

presentation of data.

In descriptive statistics, the statistician tries to describe a situation. It includes

anything done to the data designed to summarize or describe without any attempt to
make
ake inferences or conclusions about the gathered data.
Activities:
 Collect data
e.g., survey
 Present data
e.g., tables and graphs
 Summarize data
e.g., sample mean

Inferential statistics involves generalizing from samples to populations, performing

estimations
ations and hypothesis tests, determining relationships among variables, and making
predictions.

Inferential statistics encompasses those methods concerned with the analysis of a

subset of data leading to predictions or inferences about the entire set of data.
Activities:
 Estimation
e.g., Estimate the population mean weight using the sample
mean weight
 Hypothesis testing
e.g., Test the claim that the population mean weight is 70 kg

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 1.2 Population and Sample

You will encounter the terms population and sa mple on almost every page of this
sample
module. Thus, understanding the meaning of each of these two terms and the difference
between them is vital.

A population consists of all elements—individuals,

elements items, or objects - whose characteristics
are being studied. The population that is being studied is also called the target
population.

Most of the time, due to the expense, time, size of the population, medical
concerns, and the like, it is not possible to use the entire population for a statistical study;
stu
therefore, researchers use samples.

Parameter is any numerical value describing a characteristic of a population

usually represented by Greek letters.

Examples:
 If you consider all the 100 LED bulbs (of a cerrtain brand) in a box to
comprise the population, then the average lifespan of all these LED bulbs is
an example of a parameter. Usually, an LED bulb lasts for 50,000 hours.
 There are 8,500
500 engineering students enrolled in a university and 15 % of
them are enrolled in math. The numeriacal figure of 15% is a parameter
because it is based on the entire population of all enrolled students.

A sample is a group of subjects selected from a population

If the subjects of a sample are properly selected, most of the time, they should
possess the same or similar characteristics as the subjects in the population. The
techniques used to select a sample properly will be explained in the succeeding modules.
Figure 1 illustrates the selection of a sample from a population.

Figure 1. Population and Sample

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 Statistic is any numerical values describing a characteristic of a sample and usually
represented by the ordinary letters of the English alphabets

Examples:
 From a box of 100 LED bulbs (of a cerrtain brand), if you randomly select 5 bulbs
to know the average lifespan of this brand of LED bulbs, the average life span
that you will be computing based on these sample of 5 bulbs is a statistic.

 From among the 8,500 engineering students enrolled in a university, 60 students

were selected to determine the percentage of engineering students who are
enrolled in math. The resulting percentage from the sample of 60 students is a
statistic.

1.3. The Engineering Method and Statistical Thinking

Engineers have critical roles in their respective field of specialization.

spec They solve
problems applying systematically. The engineering method, a scientifc method, of solving
these problems has the following steps:
1. Problem definition. Develop a clear and concise description of the problem.
2. Factor identification. Identify, at least tentatively, the important factors that
affect this problem or that may play a role in its solution.
3. Model (hypothesis) suggestion. Propose a model for the problem, using
scientific or engineering knowledge of the phenomenon being studied. State
any limitations or assumptions of the model.
4. Experiment. Conduct appropriate experiments and collect data to test or
validate the tentative model or conclusions made in steps 2 and 3.
5. Analysis. Refine the model on the basis of the observed
observ data.
6. Model modification. Manipulate the model to assist in developing a solution to the
problem.
7. Model validation. Conduct an appropriate experiment to confirm that the
proposed solution to the prob- lem is both effective and efficient.
8. Conclusion
sion (recommendation). Draw conclusions or make recommendations
based on the problem solution.

Some of the many applications of statistics in the engineering solving process are
the following:

1. Summarizing and presenting data: data dcriptive statistics, tables,

les, and graphs
2. Inferring the characteristics:
characteristics z test, t test, F test
3. Testing the relationship between varaibles: correlation analysis, categorixal
data analysis.
4. Modeling the causal relationship between the rep repsonse
sonse and independent
variables: regression
ression analysis, analysis f variance.
5. Identifying the sources
ces of varaibillity in response: analysis of variance.
6. Evaluating the relative importance of factors for the response variable:
regression analysis, analysis f variance.
7. Designing an efficient,
ient, effective experiment:
experiment design of experiment.
experiment

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 1.4 Collecting Engineering Data

Retrospective Study. A retrospective study would use either all or a sample of the
historical process data archived over some period of time.

Example:
Montgomery, Peck, and Vining (2001) describe an acetone-butyl
acetone butyl alcohol distillation
column for which concentration of acetone in the distillate or output product stream
is an important variable. Factors that may affect the distillate are the reboil
temperature, the con-
con densate
ate temperature, and the reflux rate. Availabe data are
historical process records on the the concentration of acetone in an hourly test
sample of output product, the reboil temperature log, which is a plot of the reboil
temperature over time the condenser temperature controller log, and the nominal
reflux rate each hour..

Observational Study. Here, the engineer observes the process or population, with as
minimal interference as possible, and records the quantities of interest.

Designed Experiments.
Experiments In a designed experiment the engineer makes deliberate or
purposeful changes in the controllable variables of the system or process, observes the
resulting system output data, and then makes an inference or decision about which
variables are responsible for the observed changes in output performance.

1.4 Mechanistic and Empirical Models

Mechanistic Model. Model is built based on underlying theories,

principles, or laws of physical mechanism.

Empirical Model. An empirical model uses our engineering and scientific

knowledge of the phenomenon, but it is not directly developed from our theoretical or first-
principles under- standing of the underlying mechanism.

Activity No. 2.
Given the compare and contrast chart graphic organizer, differentiate Mechanistic
and Empirical Models . Write your answers on a short bond paperwith 1-inch 1 margin
on all sides. It can be computerized or handwritten. Further instructions are given in our
Google Class.Good luck!

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 Activity No. 2
Contrast Chart Graphic Organizer
Compare and Contrast

Name: ___________________________________ Course Number: ENGGGMATH 3

Code: 3833 _______________
Date Submitted: ______________________

Mechanistic and Empirical Models

How are they alike?

How are they different?

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 Activity No. 3
Summative Assessment

The detailed instructions willl be given in our Google Class.

constitutes a population or a sample.

A. Determine whether each of the following constitutes
_________________________1. Credit card debts of 50 families selected from a city
_________________________2. Number of parole violations by all 2125 parolees in a
municipality
_________________________3. Amount spent on prescription drugs by 150 senior citizens in
a large city
_________________________4. Number of personal fouls committed by all NBA pl players
during the 2008–2010 season
_________________________5. Yield of potatoes per square meter for five pieces of land
_________________________6. Monthly salaries of all employees of a company
_________________________7. Cows owned by 100 farmers
_________________________8.
________8. Number of computers sold during the past days at all
computer stores in Baguio City
sify the following statements as to whether they belong to the area of descriptive
B. Classify
statistics or inferential statistics.
_________________________1. At most, 5% of SLU students are smokers.
_________________________2. Assuming that less than 20% of the Kalinga coffee beans
were destroyed by a typhoon these past months, we
should expect an increase of no more than P30 for a
kilogram of coffee by the end of the year.
_________________________3. An employee generalized that the average monthly salary
of a regular employee in a certain company is P12,000.
_________________________4. A study found out that all customers who have received a
gift certificate from a store, 75% went back to the store to
shop.
_________________________5.
_________5. The average grade in statistics of 50 students is 83.60.

Congratulations! You just completed Module 1.

I know you have learned a lot from it. Take a break and get ready for Module 2.

MAIN REFERENCES:

Applied Statistics and Probability for Engineers (3rd Edition) by Montgomery, D. and
Runger, G.
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/applied-statistics-and/9780470053041/Chapter01.html
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/applied and/9780470053041/Chapter01.html

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document,