A comparison of estimators of the ED50 in up-and-down experiments

Abstract

Many estimators for the ED50 have been suggested for use in Up-and-Down experiments. Here m.l.e.s. and other estimators are compared by computer simulation of experiments, and calculation of asymptotic properties. Brownlee's "delayed" estimator and Dixon and Mood's estimator have mean squared errors that are usually close to or below that for the other alternatives to m.l.e.s. They have properties similar to those of the m.l.e., but usually have larger biases.