4.8 Binary or Dummy Variables

All of the variables we have used in regression examples have been quantitative variables such as sales figures, payroll numbers, square footage, and age. These have all been easily measurable and have had numbers associated with them. There are many times when we believe a qualitative variable rather than a quantitative variable would be helpful in predicting the dependent variable Y. For example, regression may be used to find a relationship between annual income and certain characteristics of the employees. Years of experience at a particular job would be a quantitative variable. However, information regarding whether or not a person has a college degree might also be important. This would not be a measurable ...

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