An extremely simple procedure for the analysis of circadian and estrous periodicity.
A method for the analysis of circadian and estrous periodicity based on immediate visual inspection of the data is described. The method involves the calculation of two statistics, P (the period of the oscillations in the data) and h (an index of homogeneity of P). The sampling distribution of both statistics is examined and critical values for significance tests are presented. A computational algorithm for use with large data sets is also presented. The method is intended to be not a substitute for traditional methods of time series analysis but an alternative strategy to be used in cases where a rapid and simple determination of periodicity is desired.
Refinetti
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Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22901.
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010507:Periodicity