Intro: Purpose of this study

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Intro Purpose of this study

• Identify the factors that may account for or
  explain state performance (e.g., on Math
  reducing welfare caseloads, IMR)
• Assess the consequences of state policies (e.g.,
  Gun Laws, Notification laws, Medicaid) on the
  dependent variable.
• Assess which of two types of variables (e.g.
  School resources vs. characteristics of students)
  have the greatest impact on the dependent
  variables.
• 
  .

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Purpose of this study (cont.)

• Account for a presumed relationship between two
  variables
• E.g., Why is there a correlation between Race
  and Infant Mortality (or Murder rates)

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Why is this study important?

• The dependent variable measures an important
  social or economic phenomenon. (e.g., cite high
  US Infant mortality or murder rates)
• Previous research is inconclusive.
• Previous research misses something (e.g.
  women-friendly policies paper is only bivariate)
• Public debate is divided on the issue.

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Use your data profile skills to make your point

• International comparisons
• National trends

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The Dependent Variable

• How is it Measured?
• If NAEP discuss exams
• Change measure we pick these years?
• Present averages for the two groups of states on
  a dummy independent variable
• Cite sources
• Provide table

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The Independent Variables

• Present them in logical grouping (policy
  variables first)
• Hypothesis (for each variable) what you have
  reason to expect the relationship to be.
• Your reasons for expecting that previous
  research, public debate, some CITATIONS.
• Describe how each variable is measured

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Bivariate Analysis

• Present correlation table.
• Present Scattergram.
• Explain findings..

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Explain findings

• Which are significant?
• Which are strongest?
• Findings Confirm or support, consistent with,
  inconsistent with hypothesis?

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Correlation Table
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Scattergram
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Multivariate Analysis

• Table 3 r and beta
• Table 4 Unstandardized Regression

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Multivariate table(standardized)
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Table 3 r and beta discussion

• Note overall R-Square
• Note any spurious relationships
• Significant betas
• Strongest independent effects.
• Compare results with hypothesis

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Multivariate table 2
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Table 4 Unstandardized discussion

• Interpret one or more unstandardized
  coefficients.
• Especially note magnitude of effects for dummy
  variables.

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Summary and conclusion

• Implications of this study for public policy.
• Other ways other research could examine this
  issue.