The statistical regression phenomenon: II. Application of a metamodel

The relevance of the traditional regression concept to measurement of change and to causal research is investigated by applying a metamodel for the concept as a frame of reference in a logical analysis of these two research fields. It is concluded that the concept is considerably less important than ordinarily maintained in the methodological research literature. As for measurement of change, only a special error case of the concept often constitutes a biasing factor, while all special cases are of little interest for describing true changes. Concerning causal research, the regression phenomenon will probably seldom constitute any threat to internal validity. The unjustified attention given to the concept in psychological research is probably mainly due to the fact that central assumptions have been overlooked and that a thorough logical analysis of the relevance issue has not been attempted previously.