Random Factors in ANOVA

When using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) in an experimental design, how can the researcher determine whether to treat a factor as fixed or random? This book provides the reader with the criteria to make the distinction between fixed and random levels among factors, an important decision that directly reflects the purpose of the research. In addition to exploring the varied roles random factors can play in social research, the authors provide a discussion of the statistical analyses required with random factors and give an overview of computer-assisted analysis of random factor designs using SAS and SPSSX.

The authors clearly explicate random-effectss analysis of variance (ANOVA) through several well-chosen real-life examples. . . . this is a neat little book. . . --Dayanand N. Naik in Technometrics "The authors offer a motivating discussion of research circumstances for which random factors may be particularly suitable, and they define random factors more broadly and pragmatically than the traditional definition does on the basis of pure statistical sampling. . . . Random Factors in ANOVA will also probably be particularly useful to students who are not terribly quantitative in orientation, because much of it strives to explain intuitively and verbally the relevant issues." --Journal of Marketing Research When and why are random factors other than subjects used? How do you decide whether a factor is fixed or random? Through the use of examples from management, education, political science, and psychology, Jackson and Brashers show the reader how to determine if a factor is random or fixed and how to deal in an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with random factors. In addition, they explore ways to incorporate random factors into an experimental design with other factors and discuss ways to adapt SAS and SPSSX for analyzing designs with random factors.