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Taxometric analysis: Introduction and overview
Author(s) -
Gordon Kathryn,
HolmDenoma Jill,
Smith April,
Fink Erin,
Joiner Thomas
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20407
Subject(s) - conceptualization , categorical variable , construct (python library) , psychology , set (abstract data type) , empirical research , classification scheme , eating disorders , cognitive psychology , data science , clinical psychology , computer science , artificial intelligence , epistemology , machine learning , philosophy , programming language
Abstract Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to taxometric procedures, and a set of mathematical tools utilized to examine the latent structure of constructs as they occur in nature (i.e., categorical versus dimensional). Method: Taxometric procedures have the potential to inform the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) conceptualization of eating disorders, and provide unique information about the construct validity of the current diagnostic scheme. Existing empirical studies which utilize taxometric procedures are reviewed, and the current DSM diagnostic categories are evaluated in terms of how well they square with empirical findings. Conclusion: Finally, the implications of the taxometrics literature for future DSM classification of eating disorders, as well as guidelines for future areas of research, are discussed. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007