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Technical Versus Biological Replicates

Technical replicates are repeated measurements of the same biological sample and estimate assay and pipetting precision, while biological replicates are independent samples and are the only unit that supports inference about a treatment effect. Averaging technical replicates before the statistical test is correct; treating them as independent n is pseudoreplication and inflates significance.

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Technical replicates are repeated measurements of the same biological sample and estimate assay and pipetting precision, while biological replicates are independent samples and are the only unit that supports inference about a treatment effect. Averaging technical replicates before the statistical test is correct; treating them as independent n is pseudoreplication and inflates significance.

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