Robust regression analysis for non-normal situations under symmetric distributions arising in medical research

In medical research, while carrying out regression analysis, it is usually assumed that the independent (covariates) and dependent (response) variables follow a multivariate normal distribution. In some situations, the covariates may not have normal distribution and instead may have some symmetric distribution. In such a situation, the estimation of the regression parameters using Tiku's Modified Maximum Likelihood (MML) method may be more appropriate. The method of estimating the parameters is discussed and the applications of the method are illustrated using real sets of data from the field of public health.