# Standardized coefficient for a categorical variable in logistic regression

I would like to rank independent variables in a logistic regression model based on relative importance. I've read about standardizing the variables prior to entering them in the model. So in this context, how can I standardize a categorical variable with 5 levels.

My final model has mix of continuous and categorical variables. If standardization is not the right approach for this problem please suggest me alternate approach.

• What is your purpose in trying to rank-order the independent variables? This is often not a useful exercise, as the regression coefficient for each of the independent variables in the logistic regression is effectively adjusted for the influences of the other independent variables in the model. So an "important" variable in your full model might seem unimportant in a model with fewer independent variables, or vice-versa. – EdM May 14 '15 at 19:09

• Type III tests as demonstrated by Venables and Therneau have serious problems with them. I suggest using ordinary likelihood ratio $\chi^2$ tests ("type II tests") or ranking variables by partial Wald $\chi^2$. My course notes have an example where I use the bootstrap to get confidence intervals for ranks of predictors using Wald statistics corrected for d.f. See link to handouts from biostat.mc.vanderbilt.edu – Frank Harrell Jul 26 '15 at 12:53