PMID: 11928888Apr 4, 2002Paper

On the practice of dichotomization of quantitative variables

Psychological Methods
Robert C MacCallumDerek D Rucker

Abstract

The authors examine the practice of dichotomization of quantitative measures, wherein relationships among variables are examined after 1 or more variables have been converted to dichotomous variables by splitting the sample at some point on the scale(s) of measurement. A common form of dichotomization is the median split, where the independent variable is split at the median to form high and low groups, which are then compared with respect to their means on the dependent variable. The consequences of dichotomization for measurement and statistical analyses are illustrated and discussed. The use of dichotomization in practice is described, and justifications that are offered for such usage are examined. The authors present the case that dichotomization is rarely defensible and often will yield misleading results.

Citations

Jan 31, 2013·International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology·Stephanie T LanePatrick J Curran
Feb 4, 2014·Journal of Communication Disorders·Sherine R TambyrajaSadie Schwarz
Dec 12, 2012·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Michael J Penkunas, Richard G Coss
Feb 4, 2014·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Kelly Trezise, Robert A Reeve
Apr 2, 2014·Neurobiology of Aging·Iris WiegandKathrin Finke
Jan 1, 2014·Psychiatry Research·David K MarcusPaul Kwon
Apr 10, 2003·The Annals of Thoracic Surgery·R Peter Alston
Dec 24, 2003·Journal of Psychiatric Research·Helena Chmura KraemerRuth O'Hara
Nov 27, 2008·BMC Medical Research Methodology·Enayatollah BakhshiBehjat Seifi
Oct 19, 2007·PLoS Medicine·Jan P VandenbrouckeUNKNOWN STROBE Initiative
Apr 26, 2014·Nutrients·Elena Villalobos MartínezJoaquín Fernández-Crehuet Navajas
May 6, 2006·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Douglas G Altman, Patrick Royston
Jan 12, 2007·Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology·Lisa M Kopp, Theodore P Beauchaine
Aug 21, 2007·Development and Psychopathology·Katherine E ShannonLisa Gatzke-Kopp
Jul 9, 2008·Development and Psychopathology·Theodore P BeauchaineLisa Gatzke-Kopp
Dec 3, 2008·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Thomas E OxmanAllen J Dietrich
Mar 18, 2009·Nursing Research·Suzanne AmeringerSandra Ward
Jul 10, 2009·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Wai Kai Hou
Jul 29, 2009·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Katie Witkiewitz, Nadia Aracelliz Villarroel
Dec 9, 2009·Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology·Cameron A MillerPeter R Giancola
Apr 16, 2010·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Giacomo SalvadoreCarlos A Zarate
Apr 30, 2010·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Lindsay M Pitzer, Karen L Fingerman
May 12, 2010·Journal of Abnormal Psychology·Anthony J RoselliniTimothy A Brown
Nov 6, 2010·The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis·Stephanie J SohlGuy H Montgomery

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.