Application of nonlinear hierarchical models to the kinetic evaluation of chemical degradation data

In this report, nonlinear hierarchical models and their use for the kinetic evaluation of chemical degradation data are presented. These models allow for a joint evaluation of multiple data sets, directly resulting in overall degradation parameters and their statistical distribution. Common problems occurring in the separate kinetic evaluation of each dataset with subsequent amalgamation of the kinetic parameters can thereby be avoided. After a short general introduction to nonlinear hierarchical models, it is described how an R markdown template in combination with a newly developed spreadsheet file for entering data, both recently added to the mkin R package, can be used for this purpose.