Question

WGCNA categorical trait with more than 2 levels.

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5.9 years ago

english.server ▴ 300

Hi there!

Is it possible to use categorical traits (such as ethnicity) in WGCNA analysis? If so, shall we encode them with 0s and 1s? what if the trait is not binary and has several levels? Perhaps use 1, 2, 3,4?

Thank you in advance

wgcna categorical trait • 3.8k views

ADD COMMENT • link updated 5.5 years ago by Agustin Gonzalez-Vicente ▴ 80 • written 5.9 years ago by english.server ▴ 300

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5.9 years ago

Renesh ★ 2.2k

WGCNA works on correlation measure. You can not use categorical variables in WGCNA analysis. You need to have quantitative variables (samples) with a number of samples at least 15 for reliable results.

ADD COMMENT • link 5.9 years ago by Renesh ★ 2.2k

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Thank you @Renesh for your response.

ADD REPLY • link 5.9 years ago by english.server ▴ 300

score 4 · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-07

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5.5 years ago

Agustin Gonzalez-Vicente ▴ 80

You can use categorical variables, if it is binary, then you can expressed it as 0 and 1. If it has more levels then you can separate each level as an individual binary variable.

This link may help

ADD COMMENT • link 5.5 years ago by Agustin Gonzalez-Vicente ▴ 80

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Thank you for your excellent link.

ADD REPLY • link 5.5 years ago by english.server ▴ 300