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Risk Behavior Data Analysis: Ordinal
or Dichotomous the Choice Is Yours
J. Wanzer Drane, PE, PhD, FSS, MISI
Robert F. Valois, PhD, MPH, FASHA, FAAHB
Objective:
To demonstrate the differences of 2 approaches to data analysis.
Methods: Using the South Carolina YRBS data, study focused on contingency tables and ANOVA. Additive chi squares are utilized to illustrate information loss when collapsing a contingency table. Odds ratios are derived from contingency tables or logistic regression. Means are utilized in ANOVA. Five measures of life satisfaction were summed to create a pseudo-continuous response variable that was subsequently trichotomized. All predictors are dichotomized risk variables
Results: Chi squares from subtables added exactly to that of the original table measuring lost information. ANOVA conveyed the same clinical message.
Conclusion: Clinically relevant conclusions might be the same even when drawn from any of several different analyses of the same risk-behavior data.
Am J Health Behav 2002;26(6):465-472
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