Introduction:

Applying statistics is as much science as art, especially when we are forced to make trade-offs between qualitative and quantitative aspects of the same issue. In this lab you will explore concepts that engineers grapple with in the field on a daily basis.

Case Study Hyperlinks:

http://www2.ie.psu.edu/chandra/courses/ie424/NoriLabMaterial/BackgroundInformation.htm http://www2.ie.psu.edu/chandra/courses/ie424/NoriLabMaterial/DataCollection.htm

Objectives:

1. Construct confidence intervals suitable for design engineers to use in developing a medical device
2. Consider the trade-off between certainty (a higher confidence) and the cost of data collection
3. Consider the concept of risk to a human subject as part of the cost of data collection
4. Develop an appreciation for the nuances of statistical application

Activity :

Read the case study (hyperlinks provided above), "Neonatal Device Development: Engineering a Better Future One Baby at a Time." After reading the case, answer the following questions, using the table of collected data entitled "Measurements taken from Neonatal Ward."

1. Develop a 90 % confidence interval for Biparietal distance for neonatal infants based on the data available in the case for babies who are 1-2kg, 2-3kg and 3-4kg in weight. [HINT: One interval for each group; therefore, three total intervals.]
2. How would you interpret these three intervals? Be specific and interpret the result for each group.
3. For each weight group, compare the confidence interval width (i.e., the entire width from the lower limit to the upper limit) to the mean as a percent. What conclusions can you draw about this percent?
   [HINT: How does the percentage vary by weight group?]
4. Describe some of the risks that might exist for lower weight babies.
   [HINT: What makes neonatal infants a high risk group of human subjects?]
5. Suppose you wanted to predict the baby’s Biparietal distance with more precision. The design team claims that it must have more precise and accurate estimates of this measure to ensure that the device fits properly for each baby. In fact they would like to have the half-interval, h, be less than 3 % of the mean value. How many babies would you need to sample in each group to have this be the case? Maintain 90 % confidence.
6. Given the details in the case description, what sampling recommendations would you make to the design team?

(Consider each of the following in your response.)

1. What are the trade-offs between benefits and potential risks to each baby group?
2. How should the design team think about the potential risk to an individual baby compared to the potential value that the information will yield for the entire neonatal patient population?
3. How should the design team explain the trade-off of possible risk or harm to an individual baby and the benefits to all babies who might use the device? HINT: To collect data from a baby, the parents must provide informed consent. How should the design team convince parents to allow measurements?

Price: $19.9

Solution: The downloadable solution consists of 9 pages, 1090 words and 27 charts.
Deliverable: Word Document