Question

Devise a hypothetical research question that requires a discriminant function analysis. What assumptions must you make, and what questions will it answer. Why do we have to be cautious using Wilks’ lambda?

Answer 1

Discriminant Function Analysis

Discriminant function analysis (DFA) is a statistical procedure that classifies unknown individuals and the probability of their classification into a certain group (such as sex or ancestry group). Discriminant function analysis makes the assumption that the sample is normally distributed for the trait. The posterior probability and typicality probability are applied to calculate the classification probabilities.7 The posterior probability is the probability that an unknown case belongs to a certain group based on relative Mahalanobis’ distancesmeasuring the distance to the center or centroid of each group. The typicality probability is how likely the unknown case belongs to a group based on variability within all groups. The discriminant function procedure has been programmed into most standard statistical packages for greater applicability.