Linear regression for a binary outcome: is it Kosher?
Regression models are the most popular tool for modeling the relationship between an outcome and a set of inputs. Models can be used for descriptive, causal-explanatory, and predictive goals (but in very different ways! see Shmueli 2010 for more). The family of regression models includes two especially popular members: linear regression and logistic regression (with probit regression more popular than logistic in some research areas). Common knowledge, as taught in statistics courses, is: use linear regression for a continuous outcome and logistic regression for a binary or categorical outcome. But why not use linear regression for a binary outcome? the … Continue reading Linear regression for a binary outcome: is it Kosher?