Plant Soil Environ., 2007, 53(6):267-275 | DOI: 10.17221/2220-PSE

Causal pathways when independent variables are co-related: new interpretational possibilities

M. Kozak1, M.S. Kang2, M. Stępień3
1 Department of Biometry, Warsaw Agricultural University, Warsaw, Poland
2 Schoolof Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, L.A., USA
3 Department of Soil Environment Sciences, Warsaw Agricultural University, Warsaw,

We propose a novel interpretation in classical path analysis, whereby the influence of k independent variables on a dependent variable can be analyzed. The approach should be useful to study a causal structure with the assumption that this structure is true for the situation investigated. We propose a new coefficient, Qi, which provides a better interpretation of classical path analysis. We provide an example in which effects of certain soil properties on grain yield of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) were examined.

Keywords: causal systems; determination coefficient; indirect effects; path analysis

Published: June 30, 2007  Show citation

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Kozak M, Kang MS, Stępień M. Causal pathways when independent variables are co-related: new interpretational possibilities. Plant Soil Environ. 2007;53(6):267-275. doi: 10.17221/2220-PSE.
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