The statistical analysis of data from small groups.
The authors elaborate the complications and the opportunities inherent in the statistical analysis of small-group data. They begin by discussing nonindependence of group members' scores and then consider standard methods for the analysis of small-group data and determine that these methods do not take into account this nonindependence. A new method is proposed that uses multilevel modeling and allows for negative nonindependence and mutual influence. Finally, the complications of interactions, different group sizes, and differential effects are considered. The authors strongly urge that the analysis model of data from small-group studies should mirror the psychological processes that generate those data.
Kenny
David A
DA
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-1020, USA. kenny@uconnvm.uconn.edu
Mannetti
Lucia
L
Pierro
Antonio
A
Livi
Stefano
S
Kashy
Deborah A
DA
D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008960:Models, Psychological