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Date:         Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:13:45 +0000
Reply-To:     marshall_pmp@comcast.net
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Robert Marshall <marshall_pmp@comcast.net>
Subject:      Wilk's lamda interpretation question

Question that needs more statistical experience than  have.  Here it is:
Results of discriminant analyis were Wilk's lamda of .943, which I interpret to mean that the two groups were NOT significantly different, statistically.  However, the resulting structure matrix does identify one variable related to the function identified.   Intuitively, the variable is important in discriminating between groups, as the structure matrix correctly identified, even though the Wilk's lamda is very high which suggests no significant differences between groups.  QUESTION:  Is it OK to say that the variable is IMPORTANT," in discriminating  between the two groups, even though the analysis shows NO significant difference between groups?  Hope this makes sense.