Estimating parameters in extended growth curve models with special covariance structures

In this paper the estimation of the unknown parameters is considered in standard growth curve model with special covariance structures. Based on the unbiased estimating equations, some new methods are proposed. The resulting estimators can be expressed in explicit forms. The statistical properties of the proposed estimators are investigated. Some simulation results are presented to compare the performance of the proposed estimator with that of the existing approaches. Finally, these methods are applied in general extended growth curve model with special covariance structures.