Design Plan for an Evolution Study of Related Characteristics of a Population

Abstract

The objective is to study the evolution of different characteristics of a population through time. These response variables may be related for each experimental unit, and in addition, the observations for each response may as well be correlated with time, producing a complex correlation structure. The number of responses that can be observed is usually limited for budget, resources, or time reasons, and thus the selection of the most informative time points when data must be taken is quite convenient. This will be performed by using the optimal design of experiments techniques. Some analytical results will be shown, and the results will be applied to obtain the most convenient points when tests about two variables related with the capability of the resolution of mathematical problems in primary school students should be performed.