ABSTRACT
The expression multivariate analysis is used to describe analyses of data that are multivariate in the sense that numerous observations or variables are obtained for each individual or unit studied. This chapter describes several studies in which the use of multivariate analysis is essential to understanding the underlying problem. The data from the parental HIV study Parental HIV study have been obtained from a clinical trial to evaluate an intervention given to increase coping skills. The purpose of the intervention was to improve behavioral, social, and health outcomes for parents with HIV/AIDS and their children. The chapter provides a rationale for making a distinction between confirmatory and exploratory analyses. The Northridge earthquake data set is used in problems at the end of several chapters of the book to illustrate a number of multivariate techniques. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
