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A note on the use of spectral analysis to detect leads and lags in annual cycles of water quality
Author(s) -
Dowling J. Malcolm
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr010i002p00343
Subject(s) - series (stratigraphy) , simple (philosophy) , spectral analysis , quality (philosophy) , phase (matter) , interpretation (philosophy) , time series , mathematics , statistics , computer science , econometrics , physics , geology , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , quantum mechanics , spectroscopy , programming language
The conditions necessary for interpreting spectral analytic phase statistics as absolute delays in physical time are examined. This interpretation is justified only if the two series are related as input and output by a simple delay process. For all other linear input‐output systems it is incorrect to interpret phase as if there is a simple delay between input and output series.