Genetic algorithms and statistical methods: a comparison

A genetic algorithm (GA) has been compared with a semi-automatic experimental design approach in sequential elimination of levels (SEL). While the GA is a very general method, SEL needs some human input before it can be set up for a particular problem instance-in particular, it needs a human decision on the form of the orthogonal design to be used at each stage. Otherwise, it proceeds in a rather more automatic manner than traditional experimental design methods.