title: Can ANOVA measure causal strength?
abstract: The statistical technique of analysis of variance is often used by biologists as a measure of the relative strength or importance of causal factors. I argue that it is a tool ill-suited to this purpose, on several grounds. I suggest a superior alternative and outline its implications. I finish with a diagnosis of the source of error-an unwitting inheritance of bad philosophy that now requires the remedy of better philosophy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, University of Missouri-St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63121-4400, USA. NORTHCOTTR@UMSL.EDU
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Northcott
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy; D012107:Research Design; D012586:Science