Stat 401C
Project (Multiple Regression)
Fall 2002
1
The second project (worth 7% of your final grade) involves using multiple regression to build the
“best” model for a given set of data. For this project “best” is defined as having the highest
explanatory power with all variables in the model significant at the 5% level. There are several
data sets that you can choose from. A brief description of each of the data sets along with response
and explanatory variables can be found in the handout, Data Sets for Model Building Project.
This is a group project to be done in groups of 3, 4 or 5. The result of the project is a thorough,
but concise, professional quality technical report of no more than 10 typed double spaced pages.
The report is to be handed in to your instructor in class on December 14, 2002. Your instructor
will keep these written reports so if you want a copy for your records, make it before turning in
your project report. Your report should include at least:
• an executive summary.
• a description of the data set including the response and explanatory variables.
• a description of the “best” and second “best” single variable models.
• a description of the final models fit by JMP using Forward, Backward and Mixed selection
procedures (use the default settings for the Prob to Enter and Prob to Leave).
• a description of the final fitted model with supporting evidence that it is the “best” model.
• an analysis of residuals for the final fitted model. This analysis should include appropriate
plots and tests for outliers, high leverage points and influential points.
Simply attaching a ream of computer printout in the appendix and expecting the instructor to find
what is important is not acceptable. The main body of the report should include only the end
products of any statistical calculations. It is appropriate to include plots and important summary
values within the body of the report. If you are going to include complete computer printouts, they
should be included only as appendices. Write the report as if a busy executive or manager were
going to read it. Statistical jargon for the sake of statistical jargon will not be well received.
Together with the written report, each team member can include a separate sealed envelope giving
his/her assessment of the percentage of total group effort provided by each group member. In
the event it becomes evident that the project workload is wildly unbalanced within a group, your
instructor will assign differing individual project grades to group members. If no assessments are
turned in, the instructor will assume that all group members contributed equally.
The following due dates will be used to assure satisfactory progress on the projects, you may
complete each progress step before the date listed.
• December 4 Groups turn in a list of group members and indicate what data set they have
chosen.
• December 14 The final reports, one per team, are due. These are to be typed (or word
processed) on plain white paper and should not exceed 10 double spaced pages in length
(including JMP output).