"Kenny, Dave (The Dyadic Statistics Guy)"

At the recent Social Psychologists in Texas (SPIT) conference (see entry below), I was talking to some people when the topic of dyadic analysis came up. If a researcher is studying, for example, romantic partners or college roommates, special kinds of statistical analyses are required. I vowed on the spot to write a song about dyadic analysis, and the present entry contains the fruits of my work.

Probably the best-known contributor to dyadic analysis within social psychology is David Kenny of the University of Connecticut; not suprisingly, he has an extensive website on dyadic analysis, as well as ones on other statistical and methodological topics. Naturally, Dr. Kenny would have to be featured prominently in my song.

While thinking on-and-off about ideas for the song over the past week, I heard the Beatles' song "Penny Lane" on the radio. I then realized that by using a last-name-first format, "Kenny, Dave," would be a good fit. With that inspiration, I give you the song...

Kenny, Dave (The Dyadic Statistics Guy)
Lyrics by Alan Reifman
(May be sung to the tune of “Penny Lane,” Lennon/McCartney)

So much psychology, studies individuals,
But in pairs, so much of social life occurs,
Duos can be analyzed, for sure,
With the right approach,

Kenny, Dave, pioneered dyadic analysis,
So that models were, properly specified,
And all the assumptions, satisfied,
It gave him much pride,
All in stride,

Kenny, Dave, the dyadic, statistics guy,
A technique for those, who aren’t shy,
Come on, give it a try,

One must ascertain, if partners are exchangeable,
And check for variance, between and within,
The complexity, is setting in,
Oh the road you pave, Kenny, Dave,

(Interlude)

Kenny, Dave, the dyadic, statistics guy,
A technique for those, who aren’t shy,
Come on, give it a try…

What's called the "APIM," is a model, of dyadic paths,
Actor effects, within a person, straightaway,
And that's not all, this type of model does,
There is more in play,

You can draw, an arrow, from one person's predictor,
Right to the other's, dependent var-i-a-ble,
The name for, this new kind, of pathway,
Is "partner effect,"
That's correct!

Kenny, Dave, the dyadic, statistics guy,
A technique for those, who aren’t shy,
Come on, give it a try…

Kenny, Dave, the dyadic, statistics guy,
A technique for those, who aren’t shy,
Come on, give it a try…

Kenny, Dave!