Abstract
Eighty male rats were tested in an open field. Correlation coefficients between aggregated test days were larger than those between nonaggregated test days, indicating that aggregation across days can enhance the reliability of scores in the open-field test. Also, absolute values of correlation coefficients among the seven open-field test measures based on the aggregated data were generally larger than those based on nonaggregated data, indicating that the correlation among measures may be closer than previously assumed on the basis of nonaggregated data. Issues concerning appropriate aggregation and limitations of aggregation are discussed. The technique of aggregation is recommended as a routine procedure in the analysis of open-field test results, because of the enhanced reliability obtained.
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Tachibana, T. Higher reliability and closer relationship between open-field test measures on aggregation data. Animal Learning & Behavior 13, 345–348 (1985). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03208008
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03208008