Statistical Challenges for Searches for New Physics at the LHC

Abstract

Because the emphasis of the LHC is on 5 sigma discoveries and the LHC environment induces high systematic errors, many of the common statistical procedures used in High Energy Physics are not adequate. I review the basic ingredients of LHC searches, the sources of systematics, and the performance of several methods. Finally, I indicate the methods that seem most promising for the LHC and areas that are in need of further study.

12 pages, 7 figures, proceedings of PhyStat2005, Oxford. To be published by Imperial College Press. See http://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/phystat05/index.htm