Recommendations on how to analyze pre-post data can vary. Typical recommendations include regression analysis or matched pairs analysis for within subject studies and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) or linear mixed effects model analysis for within and between subject studies.
[Read more…] about Member Training: Analyzing Pre-Post Data
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Member Training: Confusing Statistical Terms
Learning statistics is difficult enough; throw in some especially confusing terminology and it can feel impossible! There are many ways that statistical language can be confusing.
Some terms mean one thing in the English language, but have another (usually more specific) meaning in statistics. [Read more…] about Member Training: Confusing Statistical Terms
Member Training: ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance)
Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) is a type of linear model that combines the best abilities of linear regression with the best of Analysis of Variance.
It allows you to test differences in group means and interactions, just like ANOVA, while covarying out the effect of a continuous covariate.
Through examples and graphs, we’ll talk about what it really means to covary out the effect of a continuous variable and how to interpret results.
Primary to the discussion will be when ANCOVA is and is not appropriate and how correlations and interactions between the covariate and the independent variables affect interpretation.
Note: This training is an exclusive benefit to members of the Statistically Speaking Membership Program and part of the Stat’s Amore Trainings Series. Each Stat’s Amore Training is approximately 90 minutes long.
About the Instructor
Karen Grace-Martin helps statistics practitioners gain an intuitive understanding of how statistics is applied to real data in research studies.
She has guided and trained researchers through their statistical analysis for over 15 years as a statistical consultant at Cornell University and through The Analysis Factor. She has master’s degrees in both applied statistics and social psychology and is an expert in SPSS and SAS.
You'll get access to this training webinar, 100+ other stats trainings, a pathway to work through the trainings that you need — plus the expert guidance you need to build statistical skill with live Q&A sessions and an ask-a-mentor forum.
ANCOVA Assumptions: When Slopes are Unequal
There are two oft-cited assumptions for Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), which is used to assess the effect of a categorical independent variable on a numerical dependent variable while controlling for a numerical covariate:
1. The independent variable and the covariate are independent of each other.
2. There is no interaction between independent variable and the covariate.
In a previous post, I showed a detailed example for an observational study where the first assumption is irrelevant, but I have gotten a number of questions about the second.
So what does it mean, and what should you do, if you find an interaction between the categorical IV and the continuous covariate? [Read more…] about ANCOVA Assumptions: When Slopes are Unequal
Member Training: Types of Regression Models and When to Use Them
Linear, Logistic, Tobit, Cox, Poisson, Zero Inflated… The list of regression models goes on and on before you even get to things like ANCOVA or Linear Mixed Models.
In this webinar, we will explore types of regression models, how they differ, how they’re the same, and most importantly, when to use each one.
Note: This training is an exclusive benefit to members of the Statistically Speaking Membership Program and part of the Stat’s Amore Trainings Series. Each Stat’s Amore Training is approximately 90 minutes long.
About the Instructor
Karen Grace-Martin helps statistics practitioners gain an intuitive understanding of how statistics is applied to real data in research studies.
She has guided and trained researchers through their statistical analysis for over 15 years as a statistical consultant at Cornell University and through The Analysis Factor. She has master’s degrees in both applied statistics and social psychology and is an expert in SPSS and SAS.
You'll get access to this training webinar, 100+ other stats trainings, a pathway to work through the trainings that you need — plus the expert guidance you need to build statistical skill with live Q&A sessions and an ask-a-mentor forum.
When Assumptions of ANCOVA are Irrelevant
Every once in a while, I work with a client who is stuck between a particular statistical rock and hard place.
It happens when they’re trying to run an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model because they have a categorical independent variable and a continuous covariate.
The problem arises when a coauthor, committee member, or reviewer insists that ANCOVA is inappropriate in this situation because one of the following ANCOVA assumptions are not met:
1. The independent variable and the covariate are independent of each other.
2. There is no interaction between independent variable and the covariate.
If you look them up in any design of experiments textbook, which is usually where you’ll find information about ANOVA and ANCOVA, you will indeed find these assumptions. So the critic has nice references.
However, this is a case where it’s important to stop and think about whether the assumptions apply to your situation, and how dealing with the assumption will affect the analysis and the conclusions you can draw.