ERIC Number: EJ1305521
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0141-982X
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Available Date: N/A
Discovering Experimental Design: An Interactive Teaching Exercise Using Fisher's Tea-Tasting Experiment
Teaching Statistics: An International Journal for Teachers, v43 n3 p140-145 Aut 2021
An appreciation of experimental design is an important aspect of introductory statistics teaching in a wide range of applied disciplines, including medical statistics. Understanding the impact of design decisions on the choice of analysis method and subsequent interpretation of results can help to embed the importance of statistical thinking in the experimental process. I discuss an interactive exercise, based on R.A. Fisher's celebrated "Lady Tasting Tea" experiment, that is intended to raise awareness of design issues as part of an undergraduate statistics module. The exercise used a discovery approach, with students encouraged to identify design issues and agree on solutions themselves via small group discussion, with only low-level prompting from the instructor. The value of this teaching style and possible extensions of the tea-tasting experiment to other related topics suitable for more widespread use are also discussed.
Descriptors: Research Design, Learning Activities, Food, Introductory Courses, Statistics Education, Discovery Learning
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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