Trend Analysis

Trend analysis is a statistical procedure performed to evaluate hypothesized linear and nonlinear relationships between two quantitative variables. Typically, it is implemented either as an analysis of variance (ANOVA) for quantitative variables or as a regression analysis. It is commonly used in situations when data have been collected over time or at different levels of a variable; especially when a single independent variable, or factor, has been manipulated to observe its effects on a dependent variable, or response variable (such as in experimental studies). In particular, the means of a dependent variable are observed across conditions, levels, or points of the manipulated independent variable to statistically determine the form, shape, or trend of such relationship.

Examples of a quantitative variable that a survey researcher may be ...