When comparing means of a continuous variable between three or more independent groups, the appropriate statistical test is ANOVA. Which assumption of one-way ANOVA is MOST commonly tested using Levene's test?

• A Normality of the outcome distribution within each group
• B Homogeneity of variances (equal variance across groups) ✓
• C Independence of observations between groups
• D Absence of multicollinearity between predictor variables

Explanation

One-way ANOVA assumes: (1) normality of the dependent variable within each group (tested by Shapiro-Wilk), (2) independence of observations, and (3) homogeneity of variances (homoscedasticity) — tested by Levene's test or Bartlett's test. Levene's test is specifically designed to test whether the variance is equal across groups. If violated, Welch's ANOVA (which does not assume equal variances) is used instead. Multicollinearity is a concern in multiple regression, not ANOVA.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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