I am new to statistics and trying to analyse my quantitative data. I am referring to "https://stats.idre.ucla.edu/other/mult-pkg/whatstat/" and "Laerd statistics" for the choice of statistical tests. The previous source suggests tests ranging from chi-square to multiple linear regression based on the number and nature of variables. Whereas the latter source has a clear distinction between "tests for group differences" and "tests for association and prediction".
I am confused if I have to phrase my question, looking for group difference or association according to the number and nature of my variables, for example- "Is there a difference between males and females based on their physical fitness?" OR "Is there an association between gender and physical fitness?"
In other words, Can I only test either a group difference or association for a given set of variables? Or I can test both?
Looking forward to your inputs.
Please let me know if my question is not clear.
Regards,
Noopur
It is always safe to speak (and write) about variable associations or relationships, no matter how the variables are measured (i.e. their measurement level). However, as in your case, when the independent variable is nominal/a dummy, most tend to speak of the difference in y with respect to x - or, in your case, the difference in PF between men and women. So if you find a statistically significant difference between the two genders, you have in fact unearthed BOTH a group difference AND a statistical association/relationship.
Hi Christer, thanks for your response.
So you mean, I can ask both questions- group difference and association for the same set of variables and both of them have their own relevance?
Variable associations/relationships makes sense no matter what the measurement level of the variables involved (but are most typical among ratio level variables). Group differences only make sense if there is some kind of group comparison involved (but it is still a kind of variable association).
In statistics, they have different implications for the relationships among your variables.
Association between two variables means the values of one variable relate in some way to the values of the other. Association is usually measured by correlation for two continuous variables and by cross tabulation and a Chi-square test for two categorical variables.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Counseling Psychology
- Confusion