Summer School
Mixed Linear Models
Learn more about Mixed Linear Models in this Wageningen Summer School for PhD candidates and other academics.
Course introduction
In this module we discuss how to analyse dependent data, that is, data for which the assumption of independence needed in Linear Models is violated. So: Do you have a nested experimental set-up? Like measurements on large plots, but also on smaller plots within the larger plots? Do you have repeated measurements? Like measurements on height of the same plant over time? Or weight of the same animal over time? Do you have pseudo-replication? Like measuring 3 plants from the same pot? In this sort of situations it is not reasonable to use ordinary ANOVA or regression to analyse your data. These methods are likely too optimistic, and you will get erroneous significant results. And your paper will be returned for, hopefully, a major revision! With mixed linear models a more appropriate model, allowing for dependence between observations, can be specified, which will lead to more reasonable conclusions.
Dr. Bas Engel (Biometris, Wageningen University)