WHIRLPOOL, A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR 'SORTING OUT' INDEPENDENT VARIABLES BY SEQUENTIAL MULTIPLE LINEAR REGRESSION,
Abstract
The problem of identifying those variables in some larger set that exert most control on a given dependent variable is encountered in many earth-science problems. A variety of methods is available for ranking independent variables in the order of their importance, and the procedure described here is based on a straightforward leastsquares use of the general linear model. The method consists in taking the independent variables one at a time, two at a time, and so on, until all possible combinations are included. Thus, no assumptions are made about the 'significance' of any variable or combination of variables: the full output is presented to facilitate substantive evaluation. The program is designed as a data-search procedure, although it can be modified to include F tests and similar aspects of more formal statistical analysis if desired. This report describes the mathematical procedures involved, it illustrates the method with a geological example, and it includes instructions for program operation. A Fortran II listing of the program is given in an Appendix. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0611142
Entities
People
- Betty T. Benson
- W. B. Hempkins
- W. C. Krumbein
Organizations
- Northwestern University