Multivariate Analysis of Variance

The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) is a generalization of analysis of variance when there are multiple dependent variables, and tests whether mean differences among groups on a combination of dependent variables is a chance occurrence. A new dependent variable that maximizes group differences is created from the set of dependent variables by forming a linear combination of measured or observed dependent variables. Then an analysis of variance is performed on the new dependent variable by a test of variances.