The Loglet model is nonlinear, as it contains an exponential term. Although there are no direct methods for estimating the parameters for nonlinear models, we can use iterative methods for this purpose. Such methods minimize some function of the residuals.
The standard method for estimating model parameters is the method of least-squares, where the sum of the squares of the residuals is minimized. In our notation, our goal is to
The least-squares method assumes errors are randomly and normally distributed; however, it is often hard to predetermine the error distribution of historical data sets. Least-squares can still be used, but the parameter value estimates are no longer guaranteed to be correct. In fact, on data sets with outliers, or systematic errors, least-squares regression produces poor results.
For example, least-squares parameter estimates for logistic functions
can overestimate the saturation value (), because it is less
sensitive to error for smaller data values. Thus, when using Loglet
Lab, it is usually a good idea to try a second fit with the saturation
held at, say, 90% of the final value from the first fit and compare
the new fit as well as the new residuals. In addition, we have found
that using the Fisher-Pry transform to corroborate the fit can help
produce more useful results.