Discussion

Do social media users like things more if other users like them first? A natural field experiment by Egebark and Ekström (2018) explored the micro-level determinants of conformity in social media. They predicted that social media posts that had high levels of positive support (as indicated by the number of likes from prior users) would lead future users to also like the posts. Using the “Number of Original Likes” (X) and the “Number of New Likes” (Y) in the table below, fill in the blank spaces to assess this relationship. (Hint: Complete this chart offline. Then, answer questions 1 through 5). I’ll complete the first 10 calculations for you, but you need to do the rest. Round to two decimal places.

1. Which of the following is correct?

A). The predictor (independent) variable is the Number of Original Likes. The criterion (dependent) variable is Number of New Likes. The researchers are trying to see if the Number of New Likes predicts the Number of Original Likes.

B). The predictor (independent) variable is Number of New Likes. The criterion (dependent) variable is Number of Original Likes. The researchers are trying to see if the Number of Original Likes predicts the Number of New Likes.

C). The predictor (independent) variable is the Number of Original Likes. The criterion (dependent) variable is Number of New Likes. The researchers are trying to see if the Number of Original Likes predicts the Number of New Likes.

2. What is the correct regression weight ( b)? (round to two decimal places here). (1 point)

B). -1.24

C). 3.68

D). -2.70

E). 14.03

3. What is the correct regression intercept ( a)? (round to two decimal places here) (1 point)

A). 2.70

B). 14.03

C). 6.98

D). -12.68

E). -14.03

4. What is the correct regression equation (Y’)? (use two decimal places here) (1 point)

A). Y’ = -14.03X + 12.68

B). Y’ = -2.70X + 14.03

C). Y’ = 3.68X – 12.68

D). Y’ = 2.70X + 14.03

E). X = -1.24Y’ + 6.98

5. Imagine a social media post has 25 original likes. Given your regression equation, how many new likes should the post receive? (For your final answer, round to two decimal places – your answer may differ by a few decimals, so choose the BEST option from those below) (1 point)

A). -338.07

B). -53.47

C). 81.53

D). 79.32

E). -336.04