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Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions

Misconceptions about the assumptions behind the standard linear regression model are widespread and dangerous. These lead to using linear regression when inappropriate, and to employing alternative procedures with less statistical power when unnecessary. Our systematic literature review investigated...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Ernst, Anja F., Albers, Casper J.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: PeerJ Inc. 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5436580/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28533971
http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3323
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author Ernst, Anja F.
Albers, Casper J.
author_facet Ernst, Anja F.
Albers, Casper J.
author_sort Ernst, Anja F.
collection PubMed
description Misconceptions about the assumptions behind the standard linear regression model are widespread and dangerous. These lead to using linear regression when inappropriate, and to employing alternative procedures with less statistical power when unnecessary. Our systematic literature review investigated employment and reporting of assumption checks in twelve clinical psychology journals. Findings indicate that normality of the variables themselves, rather than of the errors, was wrongfully held for a necessary assumption in 4% of papers that use regression. Furthermore, 92% of all papers using linear regression were unclear about their assumption checks, violating APA-recommendations. This paper appeals for a heightened awareness for and increased transparency in the reporting of statistical assumption checking.
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spelling pubmed-54365802017-05-22 Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions Ernst, Anja F. Albers, Casper J. PeerJ Psychiatry and Psychology Misconceptions about the assumptions behind the standard linear regression model are widespread and dangerous. These lead to using linear regression when inappropriate, and to employing alternative procedures with less statistical power when unnecessary. Our systematic literature review investigated employment and reporting of assumption checks in twelve clinical psychology journals. Findings indicate that normality of the variables themselves, rather than of the errors, was wrongfully held for a necessary assumption in 4% of papers that use regression. Furthermore, 92% of all papers using linear regression were unclear about their assumption checks, violating APA-recommendations. This paper appeals for a heightened awareness for and increased transparency in the reporting of statistical assumption checking. PeerJ Inc. 2017-05-16 /pmc/articles/PMC5436580/ /pubmed/28533971 http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3323 Text en ©2017 Ernst and Albers http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, reproduction and adaptation in any medium and for any purpose provided that it is properly attributed. For attribution, the original author(s), title, publication source (PeerJ) and either DOI or URL of the article must be cited.
spellingShingle Psychiatry and Psychology
Ernst, Anja F.
Albers, Casper J.
Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
title Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
title_full Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
title_fullStr Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
title_full_unstemmed Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
title_short Regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
title_sort regression assumptions in clinical psychology research practice—a systematic review of common misconceptions
topic Psychiatry and Psychology
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5436580/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28533971
http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3323
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