Multilevel models are an increasingly popular method to analyze data that originate from a clustered or hierarchical structure. To effectively utilize multilevel models, one must have an adequately large number of clusters; otherwise, some model parameters will be estimated with bias. The goals for this paper are to (1) raise awareness of the…

The use of multivariate statistics in behavioral research is investigated, with emphasis on the reasons why multivariate methods can be so important. The concepts of testwise and experimentwise error are explained, and it is noted that multivariate methods can be used to control the inflation of experimentwise Type I error. It is also noted that…

Research with couples requires measurement and data analytic techniques extending beyond those typically used with individuals. Measurement issues in couples' research that influence subsequent approaches to data analysis are reviewed, with emphasis on issues of nonindependence in couples' data. Univariate and multivariate analyses of…

This repeated measures factorial design study compared the results of two procedures for identifying multivariate outliers under varying conditions, the Mahalanobis distance and the Andrews-Pregibon statistic. Results were analyzed for the total number of outliers identified and number of false outliers identified. Simulated data were limited to…

Calls attention to limitations and dangers in routine application of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), describes some alternative procedures, and laments the necessarily pervasive character of the statistical problem. (Author)

Examines the claim in a recent paper that biotechnology develops in a self-organizational mode, which is empirically supported by a multivariate analysis of documents from core biotechnology journals showing a relationship between title words and region of origin. This paper argues that this claim is an artifact of the method used. (Author/MES)

It has been increasingly realized that (1) multivariate methods are essential in most quantitative studies (Fish, 1988; Thompson, 1992), and (2) all conventional parametric analytic methods are correlational and invoke least squares weights (e.g., the beta weights in regression) (Knapp, 1978; Thompson, 1991). The present paper reviews one very…

A method is presented for determining the optimal number of conditions to use in measurement designs when resource constraints are imposed. The method is illustrated using a multivariate two-facet design, and extensions to other designs are discussed. (SLD)

Problems associated with the use of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) as a statistical control technique are explained. Three problems relate to the use of "OVA" methods (analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of covariance) in general. These are: (1) the wasting of information when…

The term "ipsative" refers to measurement based on intra-individual comparisons. The research literature in the social sciences contains many cautions about using ipsative data in multivariate analysis. The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems associated with the multivariate and regression analyses of ipsative data and to…

Many times in both educational and social science research it is impossible to collect data that is complete. When administering a survey, for example, people may answer some questions and not others. This missing data causes a problem for researchers using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques for data analyses. Because SEM and…

Dissertations are an important component of the effort to generate knowledge. Thus, dissertation quality may be seen by accreditation and coordinating-board reviewers as a noteworthy reflection on the quality of doctoral programs themselves. The present study reviews methodological errors within Ph.D. dissertations. The illustrative errors are…

An important purpose of the Schools and Staffing Survey of 1987-88 and the Teacher Followup Survey was to provide data useful for analyzing teacher demand and supply. This report summarizes the important issues related to teacher supply and demand; presents descriptive statistics on supply and demand; and develops and tests multivariate models to…