In their study, Herzlinger and Krasker used multiple regression
analysis, the most commonly used multivariate technique in the hospital
performance literature. Multiple regression was appropriate as they
hypothesized independent-dependent variable relationships. Independent
variables included a number of measures thought to influence
hospital performance. For-profit or not-for-profit status (e.g., control
status) was included as an independent variable. Several dependent
variables that reflected aspects of hospital performance (e.g., patient
revenues, patient days generated) were used as dependent variables.