paired analysis on microbiome samples

Question

[reaset41]

I have a longitudinal microbiome sampling. Is it statistically acceptable to do paired statistical tests? Or should each time point be analyzed as unpaired

Answer 1

[Jack Tierney]

Typically these questions should be asked prior to obtaining your samples. The appropriate statistical test will depend on what your research question is. Paired statistical tests allow you to account for between-subject differences in your data which is great if you are looking to see the effect of a drug/probiotic for example.