Logo image
Back
Toward a more nuanced understanding of the statistical properties of a median split
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Toward a more nuanced understanding of the statistical properties of a median split

Dawn Iacobucci, Steven S. Posavac, Frank R. Kardes, Matthew J. Schneider and Deidre L. Popovich
Journal of consumer psychology, v 25(4), pp 652-665
Oct 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2014.12.002

Abstract

Categorization Dichotomization Median split ESI Highly Cited Paper (Incites)
Some behavioral researchers occasionally wish to conduct a median split on a continuous variable and use the result in subsequent modeling to facilitate analytic ease and communication clarity. Traditionally, this practice of dichotomization has been criticized for the resulting loss of information and reduction in power. More recently, this practice has been criticized for sometimes producing Type I errors for effects regarding other terms in a model, resulting in a recommendation of the unconditional avoidance of median splits. In this paper, we use simulation studies to demonstrate more thoroughly than has been shown in the literature to date when median splits should not be used, and conversely, to provide nuance and balance to the extant literature regarding when median splits may be used with complete analytical integrity. For the scenario we explicate, the use of a median split is as good as a continuous variable. Accordingly, there is no reason to outright reject median splits, and oftentimes the median split may be preferred as more parsimonious.

Metrics

18 Record Views
367 citations in Web of Science
375 citations in Scopus

Details

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Highly Cited Paper 
Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Business
Psychology, Applied
Logo image