The statistical analysis of data from small groups.

2002/07/01 by David A. Kenny, Lucia Mannetti, Antonio Pierro +2 · 450 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Complex Network Analysis Techniques #Econometrics #Group (periodic table) #Group analysis #Mathematics #Multilevel model #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #Psychology #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Social psychology #Statistical analysis #Statistics

paper · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.83.1.126

published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 83(1), 126-137 (American Psychological Association)

openalex publication_date 2002/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

The authors elaborate the complications and the opportunities inherent in the statistical analysis of small-group data. They begin by discussing nonindependence of group members' scores and then consider standard methods for the analysis of small-group data and determine that these methods do not take into account this nonindependence. A new method is proposed that uses multilevel modeling and allows for negative nonindependence and mutual influence. Finally, the complications of interactions, different group sizes, and differential effects are considered. The authors strongly urge that the analysis model of data from small-group studies should mirror the psychological processes that generate those data.

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