Correlation and Regression

Article Review

Business Research and Applications

BSA518-MBA3168

Article Review

The purpose of this paper is to review an article related to correlation and regression.  The chosen article titled Multiple Regression and Correlation Techniques: Recent Controversies and Best Practices discusses recent controversies and emerging innovations.  The article provides conclusions that may increase the scientific yield for researchers making use of Multiple Regression and Correlation Techniques (MRC) methods in rehabilitation psychology (Holt, 2008).

Multiple regression analyses are used to examine the association between multiple predictor variables, say X1, X2, etc. and some other single variable, say Y1.  MRC can be used to describe the relationship of Xs and Y; to predict scores on future outcomes; and to predict the magnitude and sign of future Xs to Y (Holt, 2008).

To get the most out of MRC analyses researchers should start with a sound knowledge of theory in the research area and develop research hypotheses that will support or refute theory.  A proper match between hypothesis and research design will assist in limiting over-inclusion of some variables, under-inclusion of others, prediction focus rather than explanation, and overuse in empirical approaches.  The authors also found that it is important to move away from exclusive reliance on significance (p) testing as the test interpreter; instead researchers should focus more on effect sizes and confidence intervals (Holt, 2008).

In conclusion, MRC is a valuable tool to examine correlation between two or more variables.  However, researchers are cautioned to obtain sound knowledge of the theory behind the research they are conducting and to focus on explaining the findings rather than making predictions.  Also important is to focus research on effect sizes and confidence intervals than on p values.

References

Hoyt, W. T., Imel, Z. E., & Chan, F. (January 01, 2008). Multiple regression and correlation techniques: Recent controversies and best practices. Rehabilitation Psychology, 53, 3, 321-339.