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Chapter 5 · Data Analysis: A Concise Overview of Statistical Techniques · Slide 206/274

Lambda Coefficient

Indicates the extent to which knowing the value of one variable helps in predicting the other variable.

5.2.2 · Strength of a RelationshipLambda Coefficient

Lambda Coefficient


λ = (sum over c of maxᵣ(n_rc) − maxᵣ(n_r)) divided by (n − maxᵣ(n_r))
r — row index
c — column index

Indicates the extent to which knowing the value of one variable helps in predicting the other variable.

Is standardized between 0 and 1 (1 — error-free prediction, 0 — no improvement in prediction).

λ values from different studies can be compared with one another.

In our example:
λ = ((10 + 10) − 15) divided by (30 − 15) = 0.333

Knowing the gender increases prediction accuracy by a factor of 0.333, i.e. 33.3% improvement.

QUESTIONSTAR · Dr. Paul Marx206 / 274
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