ABSTRACT
Between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) is one of the most commonly used techniques to analyze data when the intent of the research is to determine whether one or more categorical independent variables (IVs) relates to a continuous dependent variable (DV). Causal statements regarding this relation are often clearest with random assignment of subjects to the various treatment groups (although see Chapter 30 for dealing with quasi-experimental designs). The broad area of ANOVA consists of significance tests to determine if a non-random relation exists between IV(s) and the DV, follow-up tests to investigate more thoroughly the nature of such a relation, and measures of the strength of the relation.
