Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article demonstrates the use of polytomous logistic regression (PLR) and its application to a case example. An outcome study is used to illustrate the use of PLR in applied social work research. The case example is taken from an outcome evaluation of a family support program, involving 250 cases. This instructive article provides readers with (a) a conceptual overview of PLR, (b) an example of how to interpret key features of statistical output (BMDP), (c) a simple formula for calculating probabilities and odds for a particular outcome, and (d) a substantive interpretation of how results can be used in the context of program evaluation. Finally, recommendations for the application of this statistic in practice settings are given.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Cleary, P.D. , & Angel, R. (1984). The analysis of relationships involving dichotomous dependent variables Journal of Health and Social Behavior , 25, 334-348.

DeMaris, A. (1992). Logit modeling: Practical applications Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Fraser, M. W., Pecora, P., & Haapala, D. (Eds.). (1991). Families in crisis. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.

Keppel, G. (1982). Design and analysis: A researcher's handbook (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice Hall.

Moran, M.A. , Engelman, L. , FitzGerald, G. , & Lynch, B. (1990). Polychotomous stepwise logistic regression In W. J. Dixon (Ed.), BMDP statistical software manual (Vol. 2). Berkeley: University of California Press.

Morgan, S.P. , & Teachman, J.D. (1988). Logistic regression: Description, examples and comparison Journal of Marriage and the Family , 50, 929-936.

Stevens, J. (1986). Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Tabachnick, B.G. , & Fidell, L.S. (1989). Using multivariate statistics (2nd ed.). New York: HarperCollins.

Walsh, A. (1987). Teaching understanding and interpretation of logit regression Teaching Sociology, 15, 178-183.

Understanding and Interpreting Polytomous Logistic Regression: Applications to Research on Social Work Practice

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References