In DOE, what is referred to as 'response'?

In the context of Design of Experiments (DOE), 'response' specifically refers to the outcome that is measured during an experiment. It represents the result or dependent variable that is analyzed to determine the effect of the independent variables (or factors) manipulated in the study. The response is crucial as it provides insight into how changes in the experimental conditions influence the results, allowing researchers to draw conclusions about the relationships between variables.

For instance, in an experiment designed to assess the effects of fertilizer on plant growth, the height of the plants would be the response variable. By measuring this outcome, researchers can evaluate the effectiveness of different fertilizer treatments. Understanding the response in such experiments is essential for making data-driven decisions and optimizing processes in various fields, including manufacturing, agriculture, and product development.