Jon S. answered • 03/18/19
Patient and Knowledgeable Math and English Tutor
The difference can definitely be confusing. There are differences on a few different levels. First, an ANOVA is different from both a MANOVA and MANCOVA because an ANOVA has only one dependent variable, while both a MANOVA and MANCOVA have multiple dependent variables. An ANOVA typically compares a continuous (a.k.a interval or scale variable) between multiple independent groups of responses (usually 3 or more groups).
By contrast, both a MANOVA and MANCOVA have multiple dependent variables, but there are differences between the two as well. The difference between a MANOVA and MANCOVA lies in the number of independent variables. A MANOVA, like an ANOVA, has only one independent variable (which is typically a categorical variable that represents independent groups) and compares multiple dependent variables between independent groups. A MANCOVA is a similar concept to MANOVA, except it allow for multiple independent variables (a.k.a. covariates).
