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Specify contrast vectors to test hypotheses

For the example described [wiki:FsTutorial/CorrectFsgdFile here] there were two classes (male, female) and one variable (age). The 3 regressors in the design matrix, when using DOSS, will be:

1. Intercept of Male BR 2. Intercept of Female BR 3. Age Slope BR

Your contrast vector can be set up, using these regressors, to make any comparisons you'd want. If you wanted to compare the thickness differences between Males and Females, while regressing out age you could use a contrast vector [1 -1 0]. If you wanted to make a direct comparison between thickness and age, regardless of gender, you could use the contrast vector [0 0 1].

If you are using DODS there will be 4 regressors in the design matrix:

1. Intercept of Male BR 2. Intercept of Female BR 3. Age Slope (male) BR 4. Age Slope (female) BR

Your contrast vector can be set up, using these regressors, to make any comparisons you'd want. If you wanted to compare the thickness differences between Males and Females, while regressing out age you could use a contrast vector [1 -1 0 0]. If you wanted to make a direct comparison between thickness and age between class, you could use the contrast vector [0 0 1 -1].