THE MISUSE OF SYNTAX ALTERATION FOR GEE AND ANOVA POST-HOC ANALYSES IN SPSS

Abstract

The online support of IBM SPSS proposes that users alter the syntax when performing post-hoc analyses for interaction effects of ANOVA tests. Other authors also suggest altering the syntax when performing GEE analyses. This being done, the number of possible comparisons (k value) is also altered, therefore influencing the results from statistical tests that k is a component of the formula, such as repeated measures-ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc of ANOVA and GEE. This alteration also exacerbates type I error, producing erroneous results and conferring potential misinterpretations of data. Reasoning from this, the purpose of this paper is to report the misuse and improper handling of syntax for ANOVAs and GEE post-hoc analyses in SPSS and to illustrate its consequences on statistical results and data interpretation.