Systems and methods for designing experiments

Abstract

Methods and systems for designing an experiment using a computer to determine whether the experiment is a true experiment are described. These approaches allow a user who is unsophisticated in the complexities of true experimental design to design and deploy an experiment that produces substantially confound-free results and can be used to determine and quantify any causal relationship between independent and dependent variables. The computer may select one or more independent and/or dependent variables of the experiment or may assist the user in selection of independent and/or dependent variables. Formation of control and treatment groups, randomization and/or blocking to reduce the effects of confounding variables may be performed by the computer with or without input from the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digital signage system having a plurality of displays dispersed in multiple locations and one or more processors and memories, comprising:
 an experiment design processor selecting test locations where experimental content and control content will be presented,   wherein the experiment design processor generates a playlist for the experimental content and the control content, wherein the experiment design processor randomizes the playlist such that schedule and location confounds are eliminated;   a player controller receiving the playlist and presenting the playlist on the players of the digital signage network at the test locations;   a data acquisition device collecting data regarding activities at the test locations;   an analysis module determines if the experimental content is effective based on the collected data.   
     
     
         2 . The digital signage system of  claim 1 , wherein the experiment design processor uses blocking of the experimental content and the control content to generate the playlist. 
     
     
         3 . The digital signage system of  claim 1 , wherein the experiment design processor uses counterbalancing of the experimental content and the control content to generate the playlist. 
     
     
         4 . The digital signage system of  claim 1 , wherein the experimental content comprises at least one of graphics, text, video clips, still images, audio clips, and web pages.