Multiple comparisons in categorical data analysis / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the method for multiple comparisons of categorical data and propose an approach to deal with the percentage data.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The method of multiple comparisons for percentages was verified based on Bonferroni methodology and Monte Carlo method using SAS 9.13 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The type I error could be enlarged if the statistical tests were conducted without adjustment of the significant level after dividing the data of several categories or percentages into several four-fold tables. For the percentage data, the correction of adjustment of the significant level was the number of pairwise comparison minus one, as supported by the results of Monte Carlo simulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multiple comparisons of categorical data should be applied appropriately. Multiple comparisons of percentages data need to be conducted with the number of pairwise comparison minus one.</p>