Distance-based ANOVA for functional data

We present a method for functional data analysis of variance. Functional data occur when response variables outcomes are a collection of points rather than single values, being usually represented as a profile or curve. The proposed method is an adaptation of the two-way analysis of variance. We used a Euclidean distance as proximity measure between profiles. The method was applied to a simulated gage study based on real industrial data. Results were compared to those obtained using a method available in the literature; in several situations the later led to wrong conclusions about the gage system while the proposed method performed the analysis correctly.