Particle Physics in Birmingham

Particle Physics Seminar

Wednesday 9th November 2011 at 1:30pm
Poynting Small Lecture Theatre

(tea, coffee and biscuits served at 1:15pm)

Recent Progress on Statistical Methods for LHC Physics

Glen Cowan (Royal Holloway)


Abstract

Searches for New Physics at the LHC are described in the framework of a statistical test. Making a discovery corresponds to rejecting the hypothesis that the data are consistent with known background processes, and in addition one uses the data to test various signal models and to place limits on their parameters. Recent developments in both Bayesian and Frequentist techniques for carrying out these tests are described, including methods for incorporating systematic uncertainties and the "look-elsewhere effect".