RTG Student Work Group

Blowing Bubbles and Collecting Rain
Experiencing the Practice of Statistics by Trying Simple Experiments

Michael Hamada • Los Alamos National Lab
Abstract • October 30, 2007

The practice of statistics involves analyzing data and planning data collection to answer scientific/engineering questions. Issues often arise which must be dealt with and can lead to new results, i.e., research. In analyzing data, these issues can sometimes be addressed in the statistical models that are developed. Simulation can be helpful in evaluating a proposed procedure. Moreover, simulation coupled with an optimization algorithm can be used to plan a data collection scheme. I will illustrate these points with some simple experiments motivated by my Dad and two daughters. It turns out that conducting a simple experiment is not so simple and almost immediately one is faced with the practice of statistics.