linear regression analysis


linear regression analysis

a statistical method that aims to define the relationship between two variables, producing a value b, the regression coefficient. There are several assumptions that have to be made in carrying out the analysis, particularly
  1. that there is an independent variable x, e.g. time, which can be measured exactly, and also a dependent variable y, e.g. metabolic rate,
  2. that for every value of x there is a ‘true’ value of y . Linear regression analysis enables the fitting of a straight line to a scatter graph, using the equation y = a + bx, the a value being the point at which the regression line crosses the y -axis (the intercept).