Proving Equivalence: Valuable tool in quality improvement and assurance (Webinar)

For example, a process owner might want to compare the average strength of an adhesive joint before and after an unexpected incoming material change.  The usual statistical tool for comparing averages is the 2-sample t-test, but the 2-sample t-test can only provide evidence of a difference between the means.  In order to establish evidence of equivalence of the means, it’s critical to use the 2-sample equivalence test. 

In this session, participants will learn the distinctions between the 2-sample t-test and the 2-sample equivalence test, learn how to use Minitab ™ or JMP ™ software to plan and execute an equivalence study and see real-world case studies where the 2-sample equivalence test was applied.  We’ll cover recommendations for the challenging step of determining, from subject-matter expertise, an appropriate range of equivalence.  The key take-away from this session will be increased awareness of a valuable tool in quality improvement and assurance. 

Speaker:

Karen Hulting is a statistician, coach, and teacher. Across 30+ years in the medical device and automotive industries, she has applied a broad range of statistical methods in manufacturing, R&D, and quality.  Karen holds masters and PhD degrees in Statistics from Iowa State University and an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from St. Olaf College.  She is a Fellow of the ASQ and an adjunct instructor in the St. Cloud State University graduate program in Medical Technology Quality in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA.