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Attempting to do do a.....
linear fit on suspected exponential data that have been transformed by
logarithm violates the principles used - "maximum likliehood" I believe it
is - because the distribution underlying each data point is no longer
normal. On a semi-log plot, especially when uncertainties may be largish,
you can really see the effect of the skewing. The use of a least squares
algorithm is not just a matter of aesthetic choice.
using a linear fit to
logarithmized data invalidates the mathematical statistics underlying the
procedure.
Now, how many of you use a screwdriver for purposes other than driving
screws? Personally, I plead guilty :-)
Allen