Summary
Objectives: This paper is concerned with checking goodness-of-fit of binary logistic regression
models. For the practitioners of data analysis, the broad classes of procedures for
checking goodness-of-fit available in the literature are described. The challenges
of model checking in the context of binary logistic regression are reviewed. As a
viable solution, a simple graphical procedure for checking goodness-of-fit is proposed.
Methods: The graphical procedure proposed relies on pieces of information available from any
logistic analysis; the focus is on combining and presenting these in an informative
way.
Results: The information gained using this approach is presented with three examples. In the
discussion, the proposed method is put into context and compared with other graphical
procedures for checking goodness-of-fit of binary logistic models available in the
literature.
Conclusion: A simple graphical method can significantly improve the understanding of any logistic
regression analysis and help to prevent faulty conclusions.
Keywords
Nonlinear models - residuals