Abstract: | The authors propose the use of self‐modelling regression to analyze longitudinal data with time invariant covariates. They model the population time curve with a penalized regression spline and use a linear mixed model for transformation of the time and response scales to fit the individual curves. Fitting is done by an iterative algorithm using off‐the‐shelf linear and nonlinear mixed model software. Their method is demonstrated in a simulation study and in the analysis of tree swallow nestling growth from an experiment that includes an experimentally controlled treatment, an observational covariate and multi‐level sampling. |