Which statistical method uses a discriminant function to classify observations?

Which statistical method uses a discriminant function to classify observations?

• A. Deviation contrast
• B. Direct oblimin
• C. DFBeta
• D. Discriminant analysis

Answer: (D)

Discriminant analysis uses a discriminant function to classify observations. A discriminant function is a linear combination of the predictor variables that is crafted to maximize separation between predefined groups. By calculating a score for each observation, the method assigns it to the group whose discriminant function (or posterior probability) yields the highest value. This approach is used when the outcome is categorical (two or more groups) and the predictors are continuous. The other options don’t involve a discriminant function: deviation contrast is a way to code categorical predictors in ANOVA, direct oblimin is a rotation method in factor analysis, and DFBeta measures how influential a single observation is on regression estimates.

Discriminant analysis uses a discriminant function to classify observations. A discriminant function is a linear combination of the predictor variables that is crafted to maximize separation between predefined groups. By calculating a score for each observation, the method assigns it to the group whose discriminant function (or posterior probability) yields the highest value. This approach is used when the outcome is categorical (two or more groups) and the predictors are continuous. The other options don’t involve a discriminant function: deviation contrast is a way to code categorical predictors in ANOVA, direct oblimin is a rotation method in factor analysis, and DFBeta measures how influential a single observation is on regression estimates.