Comparing Discriminant Analysis to MANOVA

In this discussion, you will examine the difference between the MANOVA and discriminant approaches to analyzing variables. In your examination of MANOVAs, you learned how experimental designs that measure more than one DV can be analyzed in a single analysis using this MANOVA approach. However, what if you wanted to examine which continuous variables best predict membership in different groups? This question essentially turns the MANOVA on its head and uses the DVs as independent variables and the independent variables as DVs. Because the discriminant approach is essentially the reverse of the MANOVA, it is more commonly used in nonexperimental designs where researchers cannot control group membership but do want to know which variables best predict whether a person belongs to a specific group. Because these types of designs are nonexperimental, you also change the labels for each variable by more commonly referring to independent variables as predictors and DVs as outcomes.

In a minimum of 200 words, respond to the following:

• Discuss the differences between the analysis types.
• Describe an example study that would require the use of a MANOVA.
• Describe what would need to change so you can conduct a discriminant analysis using the same variables.
• Discuss the advantages of using a discriminant analysis over a MANOVA.