topic Re: Lack of fit test in Discussions

Lack of fit test

DiscreteIbex427 — Sun, 10 May 2026 09:36:10 GMT

Hello everyone. I have a question related to DOE.
When conducting a Lack of fit test, how should the F ratio be calculated? F=MS residual /MS pure eror or

F=MS lack of fit/MS pure eror. The idea is to compare the model error with the experimental error..

Are the results obtained from the two formulas different? Which result is more reliable and when is it necessary to use each of the two formulas?

The first formula gives a lower value of f compared to the second formula for the same data.

I would be grateful if someone could clarify this issue.

Best regards, Milen

Re: Lack of fit test

Victor_G — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:42:07 GMT

Hi @DiscreteIbex427,

Welcome in the Community!

The F Ratio used in the Lack of Fit test is the ratio of the Mean Square for Lack of Fit to the Mean Square for Pure Error, so your second option, see JMP Help.

The residuals of a model is the sum of the model lack of fit (underfitting) and pure error (estimated through replicates), hence the choice of the second formula, since you want to compare the two sources of error between each others. I don't know when or if the first formula may be used, but at least not for the lack of fit context. Since residuals = lack of fit + pure error, I would expect the first formula to give higher values, not lower ones.

Hope this answer will bring some clarification,

Re: Lack of fit test

DiscreteIbex427 — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:27:33 GMT

Hello, Victor, thank you for your time and comprehensive answer.
The reason for asking this question are two sources:
- the book by Vuchkov and Boyadzhieva, where this issue is discussed in Chapter 2, points 2.3.4, page 56;
- the article by Atasoy, where he discusses an alternative method for calculating the F ratio when applying the Lack of fit test.
My idea is that if anyone has encountered a similar case, to provide an explanation of when to use the two formulas and which one gives more reliable results.
I am attaching the two cited sources.
Once again, thank you for the answer.

Best regards, Milen

Re: Lack of fit test

statman — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:22:18 GMT

I haven't consumed the attached papers in depth, but what sticks out quickly in the Atasoy paper, unless I am misinterpreting his words, is the use of repeated measures as estimates of experimental error? IMHO, this is incorrect way to estimate the random errors (or the MSE). The estimate should be by randomized replicates not repeated measures. Repeated measures are within treatment estimates of variation and the MSE should be estimated by the errors between treatments.

Also, if you could provide context for your question, we might be able to interpret what you are asking. For example, was the estimate of "lack of fit" due to model reduction or assignable model terms inadvertently left out?