re: st: Re: xtlogit and logistic-cluster (REVISED)

[David Airey <david.airey@vanderbilt.edu>]

David Airey queried:

> But when stuck with a small data set, why not run a model designed for
> that data structure, as opposed to running a model not designed for the
> data structure? When does ignoring the clustering become more favorable
> to acknowledging the presence of fewer than an optimal number clusters?
> Why is it not the case that a good model on a small data set is not
> always better than a bad model on the same small data set? I hope I'm
> clear.

Joseph Coveney replied:


> Ricardo didn't mention what the objective is of his usage.  If it 
> involves the
> latter type, I could imagine a reviewer--either a journal referee or a
> regulatory agency reviewer--answering David's question in stating that 
> a good
> model on a small dataset is not better than a bad model on the same 
> dataset
> when the sample size is not sufficient for the good model's intended 
> use.
> And I wouldn't count on a pre-emptive mea culpa plea acknowledging the 
> presence
> of fewer than an optimal (adequate) number of clusters to get me off 
> the hook
> in this situation.

This wonderful explanation probably has saved me from getting such a 
response from a reviewer and a round of unwanted revision!

Cheers,

-Dave

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