Due : May 5, 2004

Intent: Fit and Test Growth models 

Instructions -  The program provided are for Flier sunfish caught in NE North Carolina.

1. The input statements are given in the program file provided.  You will need to change the directory to your computer. 
   
2.  The data is given as a CSV file. 
   
3. In theory you would do the following

•  Run and Output linear programs to determine starting values for the nonlinear models. 
• You do not need every version of every model to answer the questions, but should have at least 1 fit each of the von Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Logistic, and fits of both Richard's and the Generalized von Bertalanffy. 
• How different are the parameter estimates from the various models.  Do they give similar results? 
• Which model(s) appear to give the best fits.  Worst? 
• Use the likelihood ratio test to determine which is the preferred model.  The reference I mentioned on this technique ( is:  Cerrato, Robert M.  1990.  Interpretable statistical tests for growth comparisons using parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation.  Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 47:1416-1426.)