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Using Quasi-variance to Communicate Sociological Results from Statistical Models

University of Stirling, vernon.gayle{at}stirling.ac.uk

Paul S. Lambert

University of Stirling, paul.lambert{at}stirling.ac.uk

This article introduces a sociological audience to `quasi-variances' as a solution to the `reference category problem'.The reference category problem is associated with the interpretation of the effects of categorical explanatory variables within statistical models, and is especially relevant to sociological applications, where categorical explanatory variables are very common. This article presents a selection of examples (using multiple and logistic regression) to illustrate and comment on quasi-variance calculations for sociological models. In addition, the article is augmented with online materials provided by the authors, which aim to help social researchers practise and apply this technique using the popular data analysis software packages SPSS and Stata.The authors conclude that quasi-variance methods offer an attractive and practicable solution to the reference category problem that can, and should, be routinely operationalized by sociological researchers.

Key Words: categorical variables • quasi-variance • reference category • regression models • statistical models

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Sociology, Vol. 41, No. 6, 1191-1208 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0038038507084830


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Gayle, V. Articles by Lambert, P. S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?