Dimension reduction in human functioning and disability outcomes research: graphical models versus principal components analysis

Abstract

Functioning is a multidimensional, complex and dynamic outcome. We recommend being careful with dimension reduction based on statistical procedures alone. Theoretical considerations and clinical significance should always guide statistics. Stability of emergent dimensions that are compatible with theoretical or clinical considerations is a most important point. At least two different statistical procedures for dimension reduction, for instance PCA and LASSO regression, should be applied to conservatively select those dimensions that stay stable with both procedures.