A subset of a real data set was used to illustrate an ad hoc analysis with missing data on multiple response variables. This strategy was initiated with a complete-case analysis to determine some variables that may be deleted with no loss in effects of interest. (SLD)

Some interpretations of relative variable importance in the contexts of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and discriminant analysis (DA) are presented. Some indices potentially useful for the interpretations are presented, and the assessment of variable importance is illustrated using real data sets. Both descriptive discriminant analysis…

Purposes of multivariate analyses are discussed, focusing on the primary purposes of prediction and structure identification and the secondary purpose of response variable ordering. The sound initial choice of response variables and the advisability of simpler analyses when feasible are discussed. (SLD)

A subset of a real data set from a national survey on alcohol use and driving in Canada (original sample of 6,457) is used to illustrate an ad hoc analysis with missing data on multiple response variables. A complete-case analysis initiates this strategy, determining variables that may be deleted without losing effects of interest. By such a…

The thesis of this paper is that, in evaluating most innovative educational projects that are conducted in schools, tenets of formal experimental design and associated inferential data analysis methods should be given limited emphasis. The basis of this thesis lies in the problems and difficulties that undermine the design and implementation of…

How a cluster analysis is conducted, validated, and interpreted is illustrated using a 14-scale behavioral assessment instrument and a national sample of 1,228 elementary school students. Method, cluster typology, validity, cluster structure, and prediction of cluster membership are discussed. (Author/SLD)

This study presents an overview of Monte Carlo studies in discriminant analysis. Some common questions about the use of Monte Carlo techniques are answered through a brief literature review of articles on discriminant analysis in which Monte Carlo methods are used. The articles cover many research points, such as comparing error rate estimates,…

This article illustrates how a cluster analysis can be conducted, validated, and interpreted. Data normed for a behavioral assessment instrument with 14 scales on a nationally representative sample of U.S. school children were utilized. The discussion explores the similarity index, cluster method, cluster typology, cluster validity, cluster…

What a multivariate contrast analysis should entail and how such an analysis should be conducted are discussed. The three questions encompassing a contrast analysis are: (1) whether the contrast effects are generalizable; (2) which variables contribute most to the contrast effects; and (3) what is the construct underlying the contrast effects.…

Applied researchers frequently precede analyses of interest with one or more preliminary tests, used to help researchers determine which variables to examine more closely, or whether there are anomalies in the data set. These texts can be classified into three categories: omnibus tests, tests for model fit, and exploratory tests. Fifty-four…