An Entropy-Based Approach to Path Analysis of Structural Generalized Linear Models: A Basic Idea

Abstract

A path analysis method for causal systems based on generalized linear models is proposed by using entropy. A practical example is introduced, and a brief explanation of the entropy coefficient of determination is given. Direct and indirect effects of explanatory variables are discussed as log odds ratios, i.e., relative information, and a method for summarizing the effects is proposed. The example dataset is re-analyzed by using the method.

Keywords

• direct effect
• entropy coefficient of determination
• generalized linear model
• indirect effect
• log odds ratio