Modelling continuous outcomes
Linear regression modelling is one of the most ubiquitous methods applied in the social sciences. It applies to cases where the phenomenon we aim to understand and describe (model) is ideally measured on a continuous numeric scale. This will be our “dependent” or “outcome” variable (our “explanandum”, the variable we want to explain). Regression modelling allows us to quantify the association between one or several explanatory (“independent”) variables and our outcome variable. This allows us to summarise associations and draw comparisons in our data more efficiently and to establish testable hypotheses about potential causal relationships. In the workshop we will scratch the surface of this versatile and foundational statistical method.
Readings
Statistics:
- IMS: Chapter 7 (“Linear regression with a single predictor”) and Chapter 8 (“Linear regression with multiple predictors”)
Application:
- Chapter 4 (“Community life and social relations”, pp. 49-62) in Wilkinson, Richard G., and Kate Pickett. 2010. The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger. New York: Bloomsbury Press.
- Library link: https://libsearch.ncl.ac.uk/permalink/f/rm84mo/NCL_ALMA21184871930002411
- Download the chapter in PDF: Pages from Wilkinson and Pickett (2010).pdf
- Delhey, Jan, and Kenneth Newton. 2005. “Predicting Cross-National Levels of Social Trust: Global Pattern or Nordic Exceptionalism?” European Sociological Review 21(4): 311–27.
- Österman, Marcus. 2021. “Can We Trust Education for Fostering Trust? Quasi-Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Education and Tracking on Social Trust.” Social Indicators Research 154(1): 211–33.
- Library link: https://libsearch.ncl.ac.uk/permalink/f/15e3e4n/TN_cdi_springer_journals_10_1007_s11205_020_02529_y
- Download PDF: Osterman (2021)
- Plus, the Electronic supplementary material: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11205-020-02529-y#Sec15
Advanced topics:
- Brambor, T., W. R. Clark, and M. Golder. 2006. “Understanding Interaction Models: Improving Empirical Analyses.” Political Analysis 14(1): 63–82.
- Clark, William Roberts, and Matt Golder. 2023. Interaction Models: Specification and Interpretation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.