Discriminant Function Analysis: Concept and Application

Buyukozturk S., ÇOKLUK BÖKEOĞLU Ö.

EURASIAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH, vol.8, no.33, pp.73-92, 2008 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 33
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Journal Name: EURASIAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.73-92
  • Keywords: Discriminant analysis, multivariate statistics, high-low-27-percent group method, epistemological beliefs, critical thinking disposition
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Problem Statement: Discriminant analysis is a multivariate statistical method that serves to set up a model to predict group memberships. The model consists of discriminant functions that appear based on a linear combination of predictive variables that provide the best discrimination between groups. These functions are derived from a sample whose group memberships are known. Afterward, they could be applied to new individuals or units with measures related to the same variables and unknown group memberships. Although discriminant analysis is not frequently used in behavioral sciences because its assumptions are not always easy to meet, it is a conceptually and mathematically powerful multivarite statistical method. Therefore, a description and illustration of the discriminant analysis method may help increase its use.