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Re: small sample-repeated predictors-more

Posted by Rcarlstedt on Oct 27, 2006; 2:21am
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Re-small-sample-repeated-predictors-more-tp1071739p1071743.html

SEE response to similar question that I posed in May. Scroll all the way
down to read how I described the sample size issue then.....thanks!

PS: if anybody remembers having commented on the below matter relative to
PANEL analysis please let me know...thanks!

In a message dated 10/26/2006 8:48:08 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  Rcarlstedt
writes:

I'll try  to find the post and response about PANEL analysis that I received
previously  that implied that one could use/enter trait constants each time
other  more variable predictor variables are  entered.

Yes, that is by definition a time-invariant variable and that is how  it
is handled in a mixed models approach.


Paul R. Swank,  Ph.D.
Professor, Developmental Pediatrics
Director of Research, Center for  Improving the Readiness of Children for
Learning and Education  (C.I.R.C.L.E.)
Medical School
UT Health Science Center at  Houston

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion  [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
[hidden email]
Sent:  Monday, May 15, 2006 1:09 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Sample  Size Issues

I have a methodological question pertaining to sample  size.

If one has a small sample in which specific measures are  considered
TRAITS, that is, they are considered to be stable longitudinal  mediators
of  certain behaviors and outcome measures can they be  seen/used as
repeated  measures in a study that is interested in their  influence on
other outcome  measures?

For example, I have  longitudinal data spanning nine months (a small
sample of athletes). I have  repeated measures (81; ca. 10 per subject)
on heart  rate variability  (HRV) and numerous statistical outcome
measures (e.g.,  games won or  lost)....over ten measurement occasions
(matches) and pre-post  HRV  measurements associated with these matches.
In addition, I have  neuropsychological/cognition measures that are also
considered stable for  the  same sample. I also have intervention
efficacy data obtained in the  context of  an ecologically more valid and
not a controlled  design.

Both cognition and personality/behavioral measures were found to  explain
varying amounts of variance explained in outcome measures  and
vice-versa. Also, among and between variable.

The sample size was  only 8-12. However, data points or repeated measures
for outcome measures  ranged from 52-81. Thus, although I only had a
sample of around 10, I have up  to 81 outcome measures.

My question: if my cognition and  personality/behavioral measures are
considered stable, can they be entered as  predictor variables equivalent
to the amount of measurement occasions  multiple times? For example, if
player  A played 10 matches and 10 HRV  measurements were taken, can one
justifiably  enter his or her  cognition-personality scores ten times to
match the outcome measurements;  under the assumption that these stable
traits are enduring and  will  indeed influence HRV and performance
outcome measures at different  points  in time (the predictor measures
have very  high Test-Retest  reliability)?

This would increase sample size/predictor data points from  8 to 81,
albeit the predictor and outcome measures would be from a  limited
sample?

Is this more a theoretical or methodological issue or  can one justify
such an approach because stable predictor variables will  "always"
influence certain performance (at the intra and inter-individual  level)?
Which my results demonstrated.

What about vice versa when  looking at how HRV and outcome is associated
with cognition/personality  measures (only 8 measures/8 subjects),
whereas the HRV/Outcome measurement  involves 52-81 measurement
occasions.

Any feedback would be  appreciated including statistical considerations,
limitations, alternative  data-analysis suggestions etc.

Thanks!

RC





____________________________________________
Roland A. Carlstedt,  Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist/Licensed Applied Psychologist
Chair,  American Board of Sport Psychology
Clinical and Research Director:  Integrative Psychological Services of NYC
Research Fellow in Applied  Neuroscience: Brain Resource Company
_www.americanboardofsportpsychology.org_
(http://www.americanboardofsportpsychology.org/)
[hidden email]
917-680-3994