Statistical Comparisons of Several Growth Curves of the von Bertalanffy Type

Abstract

A computer program in Fortran was developed for 1BM/370 (i) to fit a growth curve of the von Bertalanffy type to each of several samples (a sample comprises several age-groups, with one or more observations in a group) and then, (ii) to compare statistically the fitted curves and their individual parameters. In fitting the curve to a sample (i) age-groups need not he equally spaced, (ii) group frequencies need not be equal, (iii) within-group variances need not be equal, and (iv) individual observations need not have equal weights. Additional features of the program are described. An example is provided.Key words: computer program, von Bertalanffy growth, growth comparisons