EC 315 Quantative Research Methods A-plus Writer

Park University

EC315 Quantitative Research Methods

Course Research Paper Requirements

Fall I 2014

Due:

Tuesday, October 3rd. To be turned in through course . Exceptions: NONE!

Length:

A minimum of 14 pages not including the title page and reference page.

Topic:

Develop a multiple regression model in which your dependent variable is explained by several independent variables. You can choose any topic you are interested in but keep it simple. If you cannot find data to support your variables, then it is already too difficult.

Assessment & Rubric:

Your grade on the course research paper will be worth up to 216 points. The following table shows you the distribution of points for every category of importance.

Category	Points Possible	Your Points?
Project Proposal / Thesis	20
Spelling & Grammar	10
Number of Pages	56
Formatting	20
References	10
Learning Objectives (see rubric)	100
Total	216

Utilize the following rubric as your guide to producing a quality report and earn the most points possible.

Project Proposal / Thesis: 20 points

You are to provide a one-page summary of what you intend to develop. For example: you may be interested in developing a model that explains income (salary) as a function of several independent variables such as years of education, age, GPA and gender.

You are to identify your dependent variable and some of the independent variables that influence the dependent variable. Identify the types of relationships that you expect to find between each independent variable and your dependent variable. You are to consider a minimum of three independent variables and a maximum of five. (NOTE) I HAVE ATTACHED MY THESIS

Spelling & Grammar: 10 points

There should be no excuse for misspelled words and incorrect grammar usage. Utilize the tools found in Microsoft, namely spell check and grammar check. This should be an easy 10 points, yet many students overlook it.

Number of Pages: 56 points

Your final research paper should be a minimum of 14 pages not including the title page and reference page. Each page is worth 4 points for a maximum total of 56 points.

Formatting: 20 points

Your paper should be formatted according to APA: Here is the link to easy points: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

· Title Page: 5 points

· Body of Paper: 5 points

· Summary of Paper: 5 points

· Reference Page: 5 points

Reference Page: 10 points

References used within the text should be cited on the reference page and should be done consistently throughout the paper. In addition, use the proper format to list the works cited under two headings:

· Research : minimum of four sources (one which may be your textbook)

· Data: a separate citation for each of the variables used in the paper

Learning Objectives: 10 points each (100 points total)

1. Literature Research

In the introductory paragraph, discuss any research and results from existing studies in your choice of topic. State why you chose the dependent variable for analysis and make a general statement about the model such as:

“The dependent variable _____ is determined by variables ______, _______, and ______.”

You are limited to a maximum number of five independent variables and a minimum of three. One of your independent variables should be a dummy variable.

2. Discuss your primary independent variable.

In the introduction, defend why it is important.

“The most important variable in this analysis is ______ because ______.”

In this paragraph, cite and discuss the two research sources that support your thesis, i.e., the model.

3. General Form of Your Model

In the introduction, include the general form of the model, with the primary independent variable as X1. The model is:

Y =

Where: Y: brief definition of Y

X1: brief definition of X1, X2, X3, etc.

4. Definition of Variables

Define and defend all variables, including the dependent variable in a single paragraph for each variable. State the expectations for each independent variable. Keep your discussions in order for example: dependent variable, X1, X2, etc.

In each paragraph, the following should be addressed:

· How is the variable defined in the data source?

· Which unit of measurement is used?

· For the independent variables: why does the variable determine Y?

· What sign is expected for the independent variable’s coefficient, positive or negative? Why?

· Include a scatter diagram that plots the dependent variable against each independent variable and that helps to provide initial information about the direction, linearity and strength of each relationship.

5. Data Description

· In one paragraph, describe the data and identify the data sources.

· From which general sources and from which specific tables are the data taken? (Citing a website is not acceptable.)

· Which year or years were the data collected?

· Are there any data limitations?

6. Presentation and Interpretation of Results

· Write the estimated (prediction) equation

· Include your regression output and interpret the results. Careful not to allow your tables, charts and figures to roll over to the next page.

7. Identify and interpret the adjusted R2.

· Define the “adjusted R2.”

· What does the value of the adjusted R2 reveal about your model?

· If the adjusted R2 is low, how has the choice of independent variables created this result?

8. Identify and Interpret the F-test

· Using the p-value approach, is the null hypothesis for the F test rejected or not rejected? Why or Why not?

· Interpret the implications of these findings for the model.

· Include your ANOVA table and interpret

9. Identify and interpret the t-tests for each of the coefficients at a .05 level of significance (one separate paragraph for each variable, in numerical order)

· Are the signs of the coefficients as expected? If not, why not?

· For each of the coefficients, interpret the numerical value.

· Using the p-value approach, is the null hypothesis for the t-test rejected or not rejected for each coefficient? Why or why not?

· Interpret the implications of these findings for the variables.

· Identify the variable with the greatest significance.

· Include a table of significance

· If one or more independent variables are insignificant, correct your model

10. Analyze multicollinearity of the independent variables

· Define multicollinearity

· Generate the correlation matrix and include your results / table.

· Are any of the independent variables highly correlated with each other? If so, identify those variables and explain why they may be correlated.

· State the implications of multicollinearity (if found) for your model.

· Confirm the presence or lack of multicollinearity by conducting the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) test using one of the independent variables with the highest correlation to another independent variable.

Category	Criteria & Possible Points	Total Possible Points	Points Earned	Comments
Project Proposal / Thesis	Identify variables and relationships.	20
Spelling & Grammar	< 5 transgressions: 10 > 5 < 10 transgressions: 5 > 10 transgressions: 0	10
Number of Pages	Does not include title & reference page 14 pages x 4 points =	56
Formatting According to APA	Title Page: 5 points Body of Paper: 5 points Summary of Paper: 5 points Reference Page: 5 points	20
Reference Page	Minimum 3 sources Separate citation for each variable used	10
Learning Objectives		100
1.	Literature Research	10
2.	Discuss Independent Variable	10
3.	General Form of Model	10
4.	Definition of Variables	10
5.	Data Description	10
6.	Presentation & Interpretation of Results	10
7.	Identify & Interpret the Adjusted R2	10
8.	Identify & Interpret the F-test	10
9.	Identify & Interpret t-tests of the coefficients at .05 level	10
10.	Analyze Multicollinearity	10
Results		200

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