SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1985
STP33584S

Advantages of Using Regression Analysis to Calculate Results of Chronic Toxicity Tests

Source

Although results of most chronic toxicity tests have been calculated using hypothesis testing to detect statistically significant differences from the control, calculation of results using regression analysis offers several major advantages. By deriving an equation for the concentration-effect relationship, regression analysis allows estimation of the concentration corresponding to a specified amount of an adverse effect or estimation of the amount of effect corresponding to a specified concentration. In addition, whereas the number of replicates, agreement between replicates, and selection of α (the acceptable level of Type 1 error) have no impact on the estimate of the endpoint concentration calculated using regression analysis, they have a great impact on decisions concerning whether tested concentrations caused statistically significant differences. Further, use of regression analysis emphasizes the necessity of considering the biological importance of the adverse effects observed in toxicity tests. By using hypothesis testing, aquatic toxicologists have been able to avoid this difficult, important question by presenting results in terms of a variable “statistically significant difference.”

Author Information

Stephan, CE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory—Duluth, Duluth, MN
Rogers, JW
Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin—Superior, Superior, WI
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Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 328–338
DOI: 10.1520/STP33584S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4952-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0437-2