Discriminant Function Analysis

Author

Kuo Hsiung Su, Utah State University

Date of Award

1975

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mathematics and Statistics

Committee Chair(s)

Rex L. Hurst

Committee

Rex L. Hurst

Committee

Michael P. Windham

Committee

David White

Abstract

The technique of discriminant function analysis was originated by R.A. Fisher and first applied by Barnard (1935). Two very useful summaries of the recent work in this technique can be found in Hodges (1950) and in Tosuoka and Tiedeman (1954). The techniques have been used primarily in the fields of anthropology, psychology, biology, medicine, and education, and have only begun to be applied to other fields in recent years.

Classification and discriminant function analyses are two phases in the attempt to predict which of several populations an observation might be a member of, on the basis of multivariate measurements. Both procedures require that variables are measured on a series of observations of known population membership.

Classification procedures match the profile of an observation on the original variables with the mean profile of the various predefined groups. Discriminant function procedures precede classification and produce a small number of linear functions of the original variables. These linear functions are derived so that they retain the maximum amount of information necessary to properly classify observations into groups.

Recommended Citation

Su, Kuo Hsiung, "Discriminant Function Analysis" (1975). All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023. 1179.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/1179