Reference no: EM132389545

Discriminant Analysis 308

Introduction

Discriminant analysis (also known as discriminant function analysis) is used to determine which variables discriminate between two or more naturally occurring groups. For example, an educational researcher may want to investigate which variables discriminate between high school graduates who decide (a) to go to college, (b) to attend a trade or professional school, or (c) to seek no further training or education.

For that purpose, the researcher could collect data on numerous variables prior to students' graduation. After graduation, most students will naturally fall into one of the three categories. Discriminant Analysis could then be used to determine which variable(s) are the best predictors of students' subsequent educational choice.

You will use discriminant analysis procedures for this assignment.

Specific course competencies assessed by this assignment:

Apply multivariate correlation and regression analysis and structural procedures using SPSS to analyze research data.

Apply the APA style in writing the results section of a research report

Task

Conduct a discriminant analysis by completing the tasks listed in the evaluation checklist using the community dataset.

Process

1. Download the SPSS community dataset.

2. Using the community dataset, answer the following research question: Can students in distance education and traditional courses be correctly classified into these two types of courses based on their feelings of spirit, trust, interaction and learning, which were measured at the end of their coursework?

When you set up your discriminant analysis model make sure you enter independents together. Also, assume prior probabilities of group membership are equal.

In order to respond to this research question, complete the tasks identified in the evaluation checklist below. Organize your response around each of the tasks listed in the evaluation checklist (i.e., each checklist task should be a separate heading in your document). Regardless of the results of your evaluation of assumptions, proceed using the full, unaltered dataset provided.

Evaluation

Tasks

1. Provide informationally adequate descriptive statistics.

2. Identify the discriminant analysis hypothesis(es) in null form.

3. Describe the results of your evaluations of the discriminant analysis assumptions of multivariate normality and homogeneity of covariances. Identify how you evaluated your assumptions.

4. Test your discriminant analysis null hypothis(es). Provide the results of all tests. Make sure you enter independents together.

5. Conduct and provide the results of a cross-validation analysis using the leave-one-out procedure.

6. Calculate and report the kappa statistic. Interpret the results.

7. Write a parsimonious results section that draws from the information you provided in response to the tasks above and that conforms to APA style. Include as a minimum an APA style table.