TY - JOUR
T1 - Object recognition testing: statistical considerations
AU - Akkerman, S.
AU - Prickaerts, J.H.H.J.
AU - Steinbusch, H.W.M.
AU - Blokland, A.
PY - 2012/1/1
Y1 - 2012/1/1
N2 - The object recognition task is a commonly used test for the assessment of memory functions in rodents. In this paper different aspects concerning the analysis of object recognition data are discussed. Using a set of experimental studies and fictive data sets, it was shown that the absolute discrimination measure (d1) behaves different from the ratio measures (d2 and d3). Furthermore, it is suggested that, besides group differences, one should also examine whether each individual group actually discriminates between the novel and the familiar object. For this purpose, the use of a fictive group showing no discrimination is advisable. Furthermore, on basis of 48 object recognition task studies it is shown that discrimination performance does not fall significantly below zero. Therefore one-sided testing is allowed, provided that place- or object biases can be ruled out. Finally, it was shown that differences in exploration levels may affect the statistical evaluation of group differences. Several suggestions for statistical analysis are given. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
AB - The object recognition task is a commonly used test for the assessment of memory functions in rodents. In this paper different aspects concerning the analysis of object recognition data are discussed. Using a set of experimental studies and fictive data sets, it was shown that the absolute discrimination measure (d1) behaves different from the ratio measures (d2 and d3). Furthermore, it is suggested that, besides group differences, one should also examine whether each individual group actually discriminates between the novel and the familiar object. For this purpose, the use of a fictive group showing no discrimination is advisable. Furthermore, on basis of 48 object recognition task studies it is shown that discrimination performance does not fall significantly below zero. Therefore one-sided testing is allowed, provided that place- or object biases can be ruled out. Finally, it was shown that differences in exploration levels may affect the statistical evaluation of group differences. Several suggestions for statistical analysis are given. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
U2 - 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.03.024
DO - 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.03.024
M3 - Article
C2 - 22481080
SN - 0166-4328
VL - 232
SP - 317
EP - 322
JO - Behavioural Brain Research
JF - Behavioural Brain Research
IS - 2
ER -