An Investigation of the Application of Markov Chain Models to the Derivation of Operating Characteristic Curves for Sampling Plans

摘要

This thesis is a rigorous investigation of the application of Markov chain models to the analysis of acceptance sampling plans, and the derivation of the operating characteristic curves which describe these plans. The first part of the paper considers a special Markov chain model developed to represent a single sampling plan for attributes with sample size N. The next section is devoted to the study of a Markov representation of a particular type, an item-by-item sequential sampling scheme. The third part of the thesis covers the computer programs which were developed for the two types. Finally, a brief comparison of the Markov approach to the traditional approach is included in Section IV. The work is primarily concerned with operating characteristic curve derivation, but interesting fringe benefits are also considered.