I performed a growth performance experiment of microalgae with four treatment. Where I measure cell dry weight (unit: mg/L), cell density (unit: ×10^5 cells/ml), chlorophyll a (unit: µg/ml) and Beta carotene (unit: µg/ml) content of the microalgae. Reviewer suggests me to analyze correlation of cell growth/size with the pigment content (Chlorophyll a and Beta carotene) of microalgae. So, how can I measure correlation of cell growth/size with the pigment content (Chlorophyll a and Beta carotene) of microalgae using Microsoft Excel or other suitable data analysis software? Thank you.
Please make clear that your four variables are of what types? Continuous or categorical?
Good question. Please tabulate the values of cell size in one column and the quantities of Chlorophyll a and Beta carotene in other two columns. Before analysis, check if the data are normally distributed or not. If the data are normally distributed then use Pearson's correlation. If not, use the non-parametric approach, Spearman's correlation. Need to do two times, first cell size correlated with Cholophyll; 2nd cell size correlated with Beta carotene. It better to use statistical package to conduct the statistical analysis to get the significance level as well. Best of luck
You can adopt pearson correlation. The coefficient correlation will tell you the impact, significance and strength of the variables (positive / negative relationship). Make sure you conduct the normalization test on your level of confidence so that the data are normally distributed
- Badges
- Science topic