Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Using Cholesky Decomposition to Explore Individual Differences in Longitudinal Relations between Reading Skills
Published on: September 17, 2019
Heritability across the distribution: an application of quantile regression
Jessica A R Logan1, Stephen A Petrill, Sara A Hart
1Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. Logan.251@osu.edu
Abstract:
We introduce a new method for analyzing twin data called quantile regression. Through the application presented here, quantile regression is able to assess the genetic and environmental etiology of any skill or ability, at multiple points in the distribution of that skill or ability. This method is compared to the Cherny et al. (Behav Genet 22:153-162, 1992) method in an application to four different reading-related outcomes in 304 pairs of first-grade same sex twins enrolled in the Western Reserve Reading Project. Findings across the two methods were similar; both indicated some variation across the distribution of the genetic and shared environmental influences on non-word reading. However, quantile regression provides more details about the location and size of the measured effect. Applications of the technique are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Heritability
Distributions to Estimate Population Parameter
Probability Distributions
A discrete probability distribution is a probability distribution of discrete random variables. It can be categorized into binomial probability distribution and Poisson probability...
Quartile
1; 1; 2; 2; 4; 6; 6.8; 7.2; 8; 8.3; 9; 10; 10; 11.5
The median or second quartile is seven. The lower half of the...
Outliers and Influential Points
Detection of Gross Error: The Q Test
