If you suspect a nonlinear relationship between the
dependent variable and one or more of the independent variables plot the
dependent variable against the questionable independent variable. Possible hypothetical relationships:
Correct for nonlinear relationships as follows. In the spreadsheet choose a free column and
create a new variable according to the relationships presented below. Variables with a prime (') attached
represent the newly transformed variable.
As before, Y is the dependent variable and X is the independent
variable.
Figure (a): Y' = Y.5 or Y' =
1/Y
Figure (b):
X' =
X.5 or X'
= 1/X
Figure (c): i) Y'
= Y.5 or Y' =
log Y or Y' = 1/Y
ii) X'
= X.5 or X' =
log X or X' = 1/X