st: "Proper" usage: Univariate, bivariate, multivariate, multivariable

[Nicole Boyle <nicboyle@gmail.com>]

Hello all,

There are some terms commonly used in the literature that seem (to me)
technically misused. Nick Cox addressed a similar question
previously*, but I'm unfortunately still confused as to the proper
usage of these terms.

My understanding:

(1) Multivariable: Model with more than one exposure var and one outcome var.

(2) Multivariate: Model with one or more exposure vars and multiple
outcome vars.

(3) Multivariable model != Multivariate model

(4) Univariate: Not a true model, but just looks at distribution of
one "exposure" var within a group. This method may be repeated across
multiple groups, e.g. demographics table with no test statistics. (In
my humble opinion, this should be instead termed "univariable" to
indicate a single variable, since "univariate" seems to imply a model
with one outcome variable and an undefined number of exposure vars.)

(5) Bivariate: Model with one exposure var and one outcome var. (In my
very novice opinion, this should instead be termed "bivariable" to
indicate two variables, since "bivariate" seems to imply two outcome
variables with an undefined number of exposure vars.)

(6) Univariate!=Bivariate

I've decided to run this by you all while writing what feels like a
strange sentence: "Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional
hazards models..." Perhaps this should be "Bivariate and
multivariable" or even "Bivariable and multivariable"?

What would be considered proper usage (where "proper usage" might be
defined as technically correct, or might even be defined as
technically incorrect but widely accepted)?

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Nicole Boyle

* http://www.stata.com/statalist/archive/2009-02/msg00398.html
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