Linear regression examines the relationship between one or more independent (predictor) variables and a dependent variable. By using a particular formula, regression determines the weights needed to minimize the error term for a given set of predictors. With one predictor variable, the relationship between the predictor and the dependent variable…

True effects of the joint dichotomization of two variables are explored, and implications of the correct formulation for generalizations of the results obtained by S. E. Maxwell and H. D. Delaney (1993) are examined. The inflation of apparent effects can occur when only one or two predictor variables is dichotomized. (SLD)

Describes how a hierarchical regression analysis may be conducted in structural equation modeling. The main procedure is to perform a Cholesky or triangular decomposition of the intercorrelations among the latest predictors. Provides an example of a hierarchical regression analysis with latent variables. (SLD)

Proposes a heuristic method for estimating the relative weight of predictor variables in multiple regression that is computationally efficient with any number of predictors and that can be shown to produce results similar to those produced by more complex methods. (SLD)

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of acceleration (dual enrollment) on college graduation. Over 9,200 student records from 1996 to 2006 at North Iowa Area Community College were analyzed in a logistics regression model. Holding all other independent variables constant the odds that an accelerated student graduates compared to a…

In a well-designed experiment, random assignment of participants to treatments makes causal inference straightforward. However, if participants are not randomized (as in observational study, quasi-experiment, or nonequivalent control-group designs), group comparisons may be biased by confounders that influence both the outcome and the alleged…

Objective: Associations between subjective status and health are still relatively unexplored. This study aimed at testing whether subjective status is uniquely confounded by psychosocial factors compared to objective status, and what factors that may predict subjective status. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of a population-based, random sample…

This study investigated the psychosocial factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) of 171 individuals with chronic pain. Participants completed a battery of self-rated inventories measuring three sets of predictor variables--demographic (age, gender, income, marital status), pain-specific (chronicity, severity, duration, frequency, pain…

Econometric cost functions have begun to appear in education adequacy cases with greater frequency. Cost functions are superficially attractive because they give the impression of objectivity, holding out the promise of scientifically estimating the cost of achieving specified levels of performance from actual data on spending. By contrast, the…

Objective: The purpose of this study was to (a) investigate differences in demographic and psychological variables between treatment completers and dropouts among abusive men entering a court-mandated treatment program and (b) evaluate the goodness of fit of a logistic regression model for predicting attrition developed on a 16-week program by…

The issues of treatment assignment is ordinarily dealt with within the framework of testing aptitude treatment interaction (ATI) hypothesis. ATI research mostly uses linear regression techniques, and an ATI exists when the aptitude treatment (AT) regression lines cross each other within the relevant interval of the aptitude variable. Consistent…

A number of measures were examined as predictors of graduate students' achievement in inferential statistics courses. The most important predictor variable set was attitudes toward feminist issues. Other predictors included mathematics attitude and masculinity-femininity. Sex-related differences were found on all variables except verbal and…

The economic utility of the following 5 weighting methods for evaluating consumer loan applications was determined using a sample of 443 loans: (1) unit; (2) weighted application blank; (3) chi square; (4) Bayes; and (5) regression. The unit and weighted application blank procedures were the best approaches. (SLD)

This article describes the students' academic progress in an online course of business statistics through interactive software assignments and diverse educational homework, which helps these students to build their own e-learning through basic competences; i.e. interpreting results and solving problems. Cross-tables were built for the categorical…

This study examined undergraduate and graduate engineering students' epistemological beliefs as a function of their educational level. Schommer's (1998) Epistemological Questionnaire was used to assess the beliefs in quick learning, certain knowledge, fixed ability, and simple knowledge of 396 students attending two universities in Western…