Predictive efficiency of two multivariate statistical techniques in comparison with clinical predictions

Abstract

The college grade-point average of academically superior high school students was predicted by statistical methods (regression and discriminant analyses) on the basis of 19 independent variables, and by clinical counselors on the basis of all information collected through counseling interviews and testing during the 4 high school years. Results indicated that the statistical were slightly superior to the clinical predictions; however, neither was of adequate efficiency. Weighed combinations of the 3 methods increased the efficiency by 37% in the least favorable case and by 106% in the most favorable. It was concluded that combinations of clinical-statistical predictions could be more efficient and more useful in counseling college-oriented students than any single method. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1966 American Psychological Association.