A critique of the superposed epoch analysis method: its application to solar-weather relations.

Abstract

Superposed epoch analyses, based on solar sector boundary crossings as key times and the Vorticity Area Index as the response variable, are tested for significance using both parametric and randomization techniques. We conclude from a comparison of these techniques that the randomization procedure leads to markedly different results from those obtained from parametric tests. In particular, the results are strongly affected by the modest skewness of the Vorticity Area Index distribution.-Authors