I want to examine the role of a number of explanatory variables (X) on a dependent variable (DV). The DV only includes the following numbers (by order; higher number describes stronger sth): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, and 25. As you see, there is not some numbers such as 17, 18, and 19 for the DV.
What is your suggestion for a good and rational analysis or model to test X on the DV? linear regression? ordered choice analysis? or other?