Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs

Chapter ThirteenMaking Predictions

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

• Understand the purpose and role of prediction statistics.
• Differentiate between the major types of prediction statistics.
• Read prediction statistics in journal articles and reports.
• Evaluate prediction statics based on how data are collected, analyzed, and reported.
• Apply interpretations of prediction statistics to student affairs practice.

Prediction statistics estimate the influence of one or more measures on an outcome. Following the reductionist purpose of quantitative research, a fundamental goal is to identify the least number of measures that accurately predict an outcome. Prediction research yields important implications ...