Discriminant Function Analysis

Abstract Discriminant function analysis (DFA) is a data‐reduction technique used to make decisions about naturally occurring group membership. It can answer theoretical questions but has proved especially useful in applied research. In this entry we begin with an overview of DFA, describing the two types of DFA investigation and its three main procedures, followed by a summary of DFA's potential and its limitations. We then explain the steps needed for interpreting DFA results, and conclude with two recent examples of the use of DFA as a statistical tool in psycholinguistic research.