Discriminant function analysis involves the predicting of a categorical dependent variable by one or more continuous or binary independent variables. It is statistically the oppositive of MANOVA. It is useful in determining whether a set of variables is effective in predicting category membership.
It is also a useful follow-up procedure to a MANOVA. Instead of doing a series of one-way ANOVAs, for ascertaining how the groups differ on the composite of dependent variables.
