A simple statistical method for the comparison of accumulated dose in ESR dating

Abstract

It is generally recognized that estimates of accumulated dose (AD) for ESR dating are vulnerable to variations in sample preparation and measurement procedures: it is therefore desirable to be able to compare AD's derived by different methods as a first step in establishing universally acceptable methods. However, because AD is calculated by dividing two variables, the distribution of AD is non-linear and standard linear hypothesis tests cannot be applied directly. The method developed here by the addition of another assumption (which can be tested) allows AD's to be compared using Student's t -test. Hence, sample preparation and measurement procedures can be tested for equivalence. The technique also allows AD of different samples to be compared, provided the values of the additional radiation are the same or similar for each sample. Confidence limits for AD may also be derived. Existing linear regression programs can be easily modified to accomodate the method.