Multivariate statistics VI. The place of discriminant function analysis in psychiatric research

The paper gives an account of the role of discriminant function analysis and its relation to other forms of multivariate analysis. The two stages of analysis and classification are described. The interpretation of the linear equation for discriminating between groups is outlined. The evaluation of the classification phase in discussed, and methods for the quantification of misclassification errors are given. The need for caution in using discriminant function analysis is emphasized, especially the problem of generalizing the results to new samples. Some instances of specific applications of discriminant function analysis in psychiatric research are given.