Guarding against pitfalls in multivariate analysis. An illustration from fitness testing of the spinally-injured.
Potential pitfalls in the multivariate analysis of data, and methods of overcoming such problems, are illustrated by reference to recent research that has examined relationships between fitness variables and overall productivity in a population of young male paraplegics. Particular attention is directed to the need for residual analysis, tests of multiple collinearity, and a cautious approach to interpreting the theoretical meaning of individual coefficients in multiple regression equations.
Noreau
L
L
School of Physical and Health Education, Division of Community Health, University of Toronto, Canada.
Shephard
R J
RJ
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*