The chi square periodogram: Its utility for analysis of circadian rhythms

It is proposed that chi-square statistic be employed in constructing periodograms for the analysis of hourly time series data obtained in studies of circadian rhythmicity. We show that even for relatively short (10 day) time series, the integral-valued chi-square periodogram can distinguish circadian-periodic from random series at a level of significance of about 0·01. In addition, we describe the effects of serial correlation and examine the resolving power of the method for two periodic components in the circadian range. We suggest how the method can be most profitably employed in the analysis of event-recorder data for detection of rhythmicity in the range 14 to 34 h., and for the estimation of period to ±0·2 h.