[R-sig-ME] Test of random effect in lme4

[Anna Renwick]

There is quite a bit on the message board. For example this string:
https://stat.ethz.ch/pipermail/r-sig-mixed-models/2008q2/000743.html

Dr Anna R. Renwick
Research Ecologist
British Trust for Ornithology, 
The Nunnery, 
Thetford, 
Norfolk, 
IP24 2PU, 
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050; Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stefano Leonardi [mailto:stefano.leonardi at unipr.it] 
Sent: 11 March 2010 16:03
To: Anna Renwick
Cc: r-sig-mixed-models at r-project.org
Subject: Re: [R-sig-ME] Test of random effect in lme4

On 11/03/2010 16:30, Anna Renwick wrote:
> There has been a lot of discussion previously whether we should remove
> random effects based on LRT. The reason is that you added the random
effect
> based on your study design and whether it is significant or not it should
> remain in there. I am not sure there is any definite rule and maybe it
> depends on your study and personal view point.
>
> Dr Anna R. Renwick
> Research Ecologist
> British Trust for Ornithology,
> The Nunnery,
> Thetford,
> Norfolk,
> IP24 2PU,
> UK

Can someone please give some literature references about this 
discussion. I am very interested.

According to my experience in Ecology it often happens  that someone 
needs to understand if a variable or factor is 
important/relevant/significant in determining some other variable.

I would like to understand up to which point the arbitrariness of the
experimenter is considered tolerable.

Thanks
Stefano

-- 
======================================================================
  Stefano Leonardi
  Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali
  Universita` di Parma               E-mail:stefano.leonardi(at)unipr.it
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