On the E- and MV-optimality of block designs having k\(\geq v\) (Q1118303)

We consider the problem of determining and constructing E-and MV-optimal block designs to use in experimental settings where \(\nu\) treatments are applied to experimental units occurring in b blocks of size k, \(k\geq \nu.\) It is shown that some of the well-known methods for constructing E- and MV-optimal unequally replicated designs having \(\nu\geq k\) fail to yield optimal designs in the case where \(\nu <k\). Some sufficient conditions are derived for the E- and MV-optimality of block designs having \(\nu <k\) and methods for constructing designs satisfying these sufficient conditions are given.