Abstract
1 Residuals from linear regressions are used frequently in statistical analysis, often for the purpose of controlling for unwanted effects in multivariable datasets. This paper criticizes the practice, building upon recent critiques. 2 Regression of residuals is often used as an alternative to multiple regression, often with the aim of controlling for confounding variables. When correlations exist between independent variables, as is generally the case with ecological datasets, this procedure leads to biased parameter estimates. Standard multiple regression, by contrast, yields unbiased parameter estimates. 3 In multiple regression parameters are estimated controlling for the effects of the other variables in the model, and thus multiple regression achieves what residual regression claims to do. 4 Several measures of correlation exist that differ in the way that variance is partitioned among independent variables. These can be estimated multiply, or sequentially if reasons exist for estimating effects of variables in a hierarchical manner.
Keywords
StatisticsRegression analysisRegressionLinear regressionRegression diagnosticMathematicsCross-sectional regressionSegmented regressionVariance (accounting)EconometricsVariablesContrast (vision)Proper linear modelStandardized coefficientRobust regressionResidualConfoundingPolynomial regressionComputer science
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
CONFRONTING MULTICOLLINEARITY IN ECOLOGICAL MULTIPLE REGRESSION
The natural complexity of ecological communities regularly lures ecologists to collect elaborate data sets in which confounding factors are often present. Although multiple regr...
Simple means to improve the interpretability of regression coefficients
Summary 1. Linear regression models are an important statistical tool in evolutionary and ecological studies. Unfortunately, these models often yield some uninterpretable estima...
Selection of Variables for Fitting Equations to Data
Selecting a suitable equation to represent a set of multifactor data that was collected for other purposes in a plant, pilot-plant, or laboratory can be troublesome. If there ar...
Multicollinearity
Abstract Multicollinearity refers to the linear relation among two or more variables. It is a data problem which may cause serious difficulty with the reliability of the estimat...
A Comparison of Least Squares and Latent Root Regression Estimators
Miilticollinesrity among the columns of regressor variables is known to cause severe distortion of the least squares estimates of the parameters in a multiple linear regression ...
Publication Info
- Year
- 2002
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 71
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 542-545
- Citations
- 465
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
465
OpenAlex
Cite This
Robert P. Freckleton
(2002).
On the misuse of residuals in ecology: regression of residuals vs. multiple regression.
Journal of Animal Ecology
, 71
(3)
, 542-545.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2656.2002.00618.x
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1046/j.1365-2656.2002.00618.x