Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London SW15 4JD, UK
Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London SW15 4JD, UK.
J Exp Biol. 2019 Mar 27;222(Pt 6):jeb197434. doi: 10.1242/jeb.197434.
Analysis of some experimental biology data involves linear regression and interpretation of the resulting slope value. Usually, the -axis measurements include noise. Noise in the -variable can create regression dilution, and many biologists are not aware of the implications: regression dilution results in an underestimation of the true slope value. This is particularly problematic when the slope value is diagnostic. For example, energy management strategies of animals can be determined from the regression slope estimate of mean energy expenditure against resting energy expenditure. Typically, energy expenditure is represented by a proxy such as heart rate, which adds substantive measurement error. With simulations and analysis of empirical data, we explore the possible effect of regression dilution on interpretations of energy management strategies. We conclude that unless the coefficient of determination is very high, there is a good possibility that regression dilution will affect qualitative interpretation. We recommend some ways to contend with regression dilution, including the application of alternative available regression approaches under certain circumstances.
分析一些实验生物学数据涉及线性回归和对所得斜率值的解释。通常，-轴测量值包括噪声。-变量中的噪声会导致回归稀释，而许多生物学家没有意识到这一点的含义：回归稀释会导致对真实斜率值的低估。当斜率值具有诊断意义时，这尤其成问题。例如，动物的能量管理策略可以从平均能量消耗对静息能量消耗的回归斜率估计值中确定。通常，能量消耗由心率等代理表示，这会增加实质性的测量误差。通过模拟和对经验数据的分析，我们探讨了回归稀释对能量管理策略解释的可能影响。我们得出的结论是，除非确定系数非常高，否则回归稀释很有可能会影响定性解释。我们建议了一些应对回归稀释的方法，包括在某些情况下应用替代的可用回归方法。
