[R] lm with ordered factors

[(Ted Harding)]

Hi Folks,

No doubt a question with a well-known answer, but I'm unfortunately
not managing to find it readily ... !

I have a quantitative variable Y and a 4-level ordered factor A
(with very unequal numbers at the different levels, by the way).

The command

  lm(Y ~ A)

returns (amongst other stuff) an intercept, and coefficients
A.L, A.Q and A.C for the Linear, Quadratic and Cubic effects.

I'm trying to verify how R computes A.L, A.Q and A.C (equivalently,
and preferably, what are the definitions of these that correspond
to how R computes them). I haven't touched whatever R's default
settings may be for this operation.

Can some kind soul enlighten me?

With thanks,
Ted.


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E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding at nessie.mcc.ac.uk>
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Date: 22-Nov-03                                       Time: 08:40:10
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