Fitting linear orthogonal polynomials

A linear polynomial assumes that three or more groups have an ordering e.g. A>B>C and that the distances between each successive pair of groups are equal. This may be tested by specifying contrast coefficients in an anova.

Non-integer) contrast coefficients may be obtained in R using contr.poly(p) for a polynomial of degree p. Tables of polynomial contrast coefficients are also available in Biometrika tables which also give general formulae to obtain integer contrast coefficients for comparing upto 22 group means using polynomials upto degree 6.

contr.poly(4,contrasts=TRUE)

Specific contrast coefficients can also be obtained assuming unequal distances between groups but the ratio of these differences must be specified e.g. if groups B and C are twice as far from each other as groups A and B then contrast coefficients may be obtained using, for example, R.

> x <- c(1,2,4)
> poly(x,degree,1)

If you suspect the groups are unequally spaced but do not know by how much then either fit a quadratic polynomial in addition to a linear one using a second set of contrast coefficients or use a nonparametric procedure such as Jonckheere's Trend Test.

Reference

Biometrika tables for Statisticians Volume 1 (1954) Edited by Pearson, ES and Hartley, HO. Cambridge University Press.