Goodness-of-Fit Testing for Exponential Polynomial Growth Curves

A goodness-of-fit test is proposed for the family of exponential polynomial growth curve models (EPGCM; Heinen, 1999), which has wide applications in different areas of science. The exponential growth curve model (EGCM), the most prominent member of the EPGCM family, is a simple and biologically meaningful growth model. Other members of the EPGCM family also cover many realistic growth processes. Thus, a goodness-of-fit test for the EPGCM class has substantial practical value. The goodness-of-fit test developed here is based on the properties of finite differences. The performance of the theory developed is illustrated through simulation and analysis of real data.