Factorial Analysis

1. It has great flexibility for exploring or enhancing the signal(treatment) in research studies. 2. Factorial designs are efficient. 3. In a factorial experiments, each factor has only two levels. 4. In factorial designs, a factor is a major independent variable. A level is a subdivision of a factor.

Advantages of factorial designs

1. The exact number obtained from the overall main factor effects. 2. Interaction between different factors can be explored. 3. Additional factor can help to extend validity of conclusions derived. 4. Procedure used is General Linear Modelling.

factorial designs can be two types

1. Simple factorial designs. 2. Complex factorial designs. For ex. A has 3 levels of intensity:1-Weak 2-moderate 3-Strong & B has 2 levels of intensity:1-Weak 2-strong

Main effect of the factor

The amount of change produced in the process output for a change in the level of a given factor is referred to as the main effect of that factor. The main effect of a factor is the average change in the output response as that factor goes from to +
A (-) B(-) B(+) 20 30 A(+) 40 52

Interaction Effects
An interaction effects exists when differences on one factor depend on the level you are on another factor. Its important to recognize that an interaction is between factors, not levels. There is a 3 ways to determine 1) Statistic analysis, the statistic table will report on all main effects & interactions. 2) If there is an interaction when we cant talk about effect on one factor without mentioning the other factor 3) When we have an interaction it is impossible to describe the results accurately without mentioning both factors. Graphs can also be helpful to spot interactions.