Generalized Linear Models for Bounded and Limited Quantitative Variables
- Michael Smithson - Australian National University
- Yiyun Shou - Australian National University
This book introduces researchers and students to the concepts and generalized linear models for analyzing quantitative random variables that have one or more bounds. Examples of bounded variables include the percentage of a population eligible to vote (bounded from 0 to 100), or reaction time in milliseconds (bounded below by 0). The human sciences deal in many variables that are bounded. Ignoring bounds can result in misestimation and improper statistical inference. Michael Smithson and Yiyun Shou's book brings together material on the analysis of limited and bounded variables that is scattered across the literature in several disciplines, and presents it in a style that is both more accessible and up-to-date. The authors provide worked examples in each chapter using real datasets from a variety of disciplines. The software used for the examples include R, SAS, and Stata. The data, software code, and detailed explanations of the example models are available on an accompanying website.
Supplements
The data, R, SAS, and Stata software code, and detailed explanations of the example models are available at the SAGE Research Methods Resource Center site.
This book provides a thorough and accessible look at an important class of statistical models. It communicates intuition well and shows through numerous examples that understanding how to analyze bounded outcome variables is useful for applied researchers.
The authors are leaders in the world-wide effort to extend and tailor the generalized linear model to variables that are bounded and not normally distributed. The discussion of models for data recorded as proportions is worth the price of admission.
