Progress in the Analysis of Serial Data during the Century since Bowditch and Future Expectations: Fourth Raymond Pearl Memorial Lecture, 1986

Document Type

Article

Authors

Alex F. Roche, Wright State University School of Medicine, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Abstract

The collection of serial human growth data has a long history, but until 1937, analyses of such data were limited to the visual interpretation of graphs that included means, percentiles or increments. The applica­tion of mathematical models began in 1937 but, with few exceptions, these were fitted to mean values only until the 1950s. Two approaches are in current use; one is to fit a fixed mathematical model to serial data for individuals and base subsequent analyses on the estimated parameters for individuals. The other approach is to use a non-parametric procedure that can provide estimates of values at critical points on the curves. The in­creases in knowledge that have resulted from the application of these ap­proaches have been reviewed and productive areas for future research have been suggested.

Recommended Citation

Roche, Alex F. (1986) "Progress in the Analysis of Serial Data during the Century since Bowditch and Future Expectations: Fourth Raymond Pearl Memorial Lecture, 1986," Human Biology: Vol. 58: Iss. 6, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol58/iss6/3