Discriminant Analysis

True/False Questions
1. Discriminant functions are linear combinations of the predictor or independent
variables, which will best discriminate between the categories of the criterion or
dependent variable (groups).
(True,
2. The direct method is an approach to discriminant analysis that involves estimating the
discriminant function so that all the predictors are included simultaneously.
(True,
3. With the leave-one-out cross-validation option in SPSS, the discriminant model is reestimated as many times as there are respondents in the sample.
(True,
4. The hit ratio is the number of variables found to be significant by the discriminant
analysis.
(False,
Multiple Choice Questions
19. An examination of differences across groups lies at the heart of the basic concept of
_____.
a. regression analysis
b. discriminant analysis
c. conjoint analysis
d. factor analysis
(b,
20. The linear combinations of independent variables developed by discriminant analysis
that will best discriminate between the categories of the dependent variable are
_____.
a. discriminant functions
b. discriminant scores
c. characteristic profiles
d. classification matrix
(a,
23. Discriminant analysis can be used to answer questions such as:
a. How much of the variation in sales can be explained by advertising expenditures,
prices, and level of distribution?
b. In terms of demographic characteristics, how do customers who exhibit store
loyalty differ from those who do not?
c. What are the distinguishing characteristics of consumers who respond to direct
mail solicitations?
d. Both b and c are correct.
(d,
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24. The unstandardized coefficients are multiplied by the values of the variables. These
products are summed and added to the constant term to obtain the _____.
a. discriminant function coefficients
b. classification matrix
c. discriminant scores
d. canonical correlation
(c,
25. What does it mean if the discriminant function is estimated and the square of the
canonical correlation is .64?
a. 64% of the variance in the dependent variable is explained by the model.
b. The null hypothesis is not rejected. Therefore, there is no significant
discrimination between groups.
c. 64% of the explained variance is accounted for.
d. b and c are correct
(a,
26. If you are using the leave-out option of SPSS, you are at the _____ step of
discriminant analysis.
a. estimate the discriminant coefficients
b. determine the significance of the discriminant function
c. interpret the results
d. assess validity of discriminant analysis
(d,
35. A _____ is a tool for assessing discriminant analysis results that plots the group
membership of each case on a graph.
a. characteristic profile
b. scattergram
c. territorial map
d. pie chart
(c,
36. Discriminant analysis can be conducted via all of the following except:
a. SPSS
b. EXCEL
c. MINITAB
d. SAS
(b,

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