Discriminant analysis on a microcomputer

Abstract

Multivariate statistical techniques are important tools in many areas of biological research. Unfortunately they are generally available only as part of large statistical packages on mainframe computers. Discriminant analysis is a technique used to investigate the nature of group differences; hence it has many potential biological applications. A method for discriminant analysis is described which uses the multiple-regression facilities offered by most microcomputer statistical packages. The method is illustrated with an ecological example using the MICROTAB statistical package on a BBC model B microcomputer.