Affiliation:
1. Medical University of Vienna
2. Novartis (Switzerland)
3. University of Primorska
4. University of Freiburg
5. University Medicine of Greifswald
6. Vanderbilt University
7. Michigan State University
Abstract
Abstract
Statistical regression models are used for predicting outcomes based on the values of some predictor variables or for describing the association of an outcome with predictors. With a data set at hand, a regression model can be easily fit with standard software packages. This bears the risk that data analysts may rush to perform sophisticated analyses without sufficient knowledge of basic properties, associations in and errors of their data, leading to wrong interpretation and often questionable presentation of the modeling results. Ignorance about special features of the data such as redundancies or particular distributions may even invalidate the chosen analysis strategy. The main aim of initial data analysis (IDA) in the context of regression analyses is seen in providing knowledge about the data to confirm the appropriateness of or to refine a chosen model building strategy, to interpret the modeling results correctly, and to guide the presentation of modeling results. In order to facilitate reproducibility, IDA needs to be preplanned, an IDA plan should be included in the general statistical analysis plan of a research project, and results should be well documented. Biased statistical inference of the final regression model can be minimized if IDA abstains from evaluating associations of outcome and predictors, a key principle of IDA. We give advice on which aspects to consider in an IDA plan for data screening in the context of regression modeling to supplement the statistical analysis plan. We illustrate this IDA plan for data screening in an example of a typical diagnostic modeling project and give recommendations for data visualizations.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Cited by
3 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献