A recursive version of Grubbs' test for detecting multiple outliers in environmental and chemical data

Objective: To compare the performance of Grubbs outlier detection procedure with recursive Extreme Studentized Deviate (ESD) outlier detection procedure. Design and methods: Using simulated data, the powers of Grubbs' and ESD procedures were evaluated. Results: Except when the sample contained exactly one outlier, the power of ESD procedure was higher than that of Grubbs' procedure. Conclusion: The ESD recursive procedure is the procedure of choice to detect multiple Outliers in environmental and chemical data. (C) 2010 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.