# What statistical model can be used to find how following variables relate?

I want to find the relationship between a disease incidence in a region and a number of other environmental factors such as temperature, elevation etc.

I have tables containing this data for a particular country. The data files are raster files of the country map with each pixel having certain numeric value for the particular parameter. Example [126, 540, 359...] say disease cases or [23.34, 19.02...] for temperature etc.

I have read about multiple regression, Pearson Chi square test, t-tests etc. But I didn't find them suitable: Multiple regression because what I read it assumes a linear relationship between the variables. Chi square test applies to categorical data. t-tests for small datasets. I've also read about EOF analysis (Empirical Orthogonal Function) but it requires time series data. CCA (Canonical Correlation Analysis) but it finds the relationship between two sets of multiple variables.

Which statistical method can I use to find the relationship between these variables? I want to use a method that gives a relationship, say, more is the elevation, more is the number of disease incidence etc. Without assuming anything before hand like, "there'd be a linear relationship between the variables, so using linear relationship model." Also, is some method I mentioned appropriate but my understanding is not correct?

I don't necessarily need to find relationship one to many, it'd be fine to use one on one methods. On a side note, I'm working with GIS data and would use Python or R modules to find and plot the relationship. Thanks.

• Nothing wrong with posting this question here, but there is a stats site in the SE network where it might attract more attention. – Gerry Myerson Jun 24 '14 at 10:32
• I apologize, I was unaware. Thank you for the information. – user3707588 Jun 24 '14 at 11:13

In most cases you can capture non-linear relationships in regression analysis by adding powers of a variable. i.e. $y=b_0+b_1\cdot x+b_2\cdot x^2$. You need to think about what sort of regression. In your case the $y$ may be a count (i.e. number of cases) in which case you need Poisson regression, or y may be a percentage in which case you need logistic regression.
That said I would start simple, assume everything is linear and just do standard regression. If the $y$ starts going negative of greater than 100% then get clever.