1. Chapter 1: THE NATURE OF REGRESSION ANALYSIS
Basic Econometrics
Chapter 1:
THE NATURE OF REGRESSION ANALYSIS
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

2. 1-1. Historical origin of the term “Regression”
The term REGRESSION was introduced by Francis Galton
Tendency for tall parents to have tall children and for short parents to have short children, but the average height of children born from parents of a given height tended to move (or regress) toward the average height in the population as a whole (F. Galton, “Family Likeness in Stature”)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

3. 1-1. Historical origin of the term “Regression”
Galton’s Law was confirmed by Karl Pearson: The average height of sons of a group of tall fathers < their fathers’ height. And the average height of sons of a group of short fathers > their fathers’ height. Thus “regressing” tall and short sons alike toward the average height of all men. (K. Pearson and A. Lee, “On the law of Inheritance”)
By the words of Galton, this was “Regression to mediocrity”
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

4. 1-2. Modern Interpretation of Regression Analysis
The modern way in interpretation of Regression: Regression Analysis is concerned with the study of the dependence of one variable (The Dependent Variable), on one or more other variable(s) (The Explanatory Variable), with a view to estimating and/or predicting the (population) mean or average value of the former in term of the known or fixed (in repeated sampling) values of the latter.
Examples: (pages 16-19)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

5. Dependent Variable Y; Explanatory Variable Xs
1. Y = Son’s Height; X = Father’s Height
2. Y = Height of boys; X = Age of boys
3. Y = Personal Consumption Expenditure
X = Personal Disposable Income
4. Y = Demand; X = Price
5. Y = Rate of Change of Wages
X = Unemployment Rate
6. Y = Money/Income; X = Inflation Rate
7. Y = % Change in Demand; X = % Change in the
advertising budget
8. Y = Crop yield; Xs = temperature, rainfall, sunshine,
fertilizer
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

6. 1-3. Statistical vs. Deterministic Relationships
In regression analysis we are concerned with STATISTICAL DEPENDENCE among variables (not Functional or Deterministic), we essentially deal with RANDOM or STOCHASTIC variables (with the probability distributions)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

7. 1-4. Regression vs. Causation:
Regression does not necessarily imply causation. A statistical relationship cannot logically imply causation. “A statistical relationship, however strong and however suggestive, can never establish causal connection: our ideas of causation must come from outside statistics, ultimately from some theory or other” (M.G. Kendal and A. Stuart, “The Advanced Theory of Statistics”)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

8. 1-5. Regression vs. Correlation
Correlation Analysis: the primary objective is to measure the strength or degree of linear association between two variables (both are assumed to be random)
Regression Analysis: we try to estimate or predict the average value of one variable (dependent, and assumed to be stochastic) on the basis of the fixed values of other variables (independent, and non-stochastic)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

9. 1-6. Terminology and Notation
Dependent Variable 
Explained Variable
Predictand
Regressand
Response
Endogenous
Explanatory Variable(s) 
Independent Variable(s)
Predictor(s)
Regressor(s)
Stimulus or control variable(s)
Exogenous(es)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

10. 1-7. The Nature and Sources of Data for Econometric Analysis
1) Types of Data :
Time series data;
Cross-sectional data;
Pooled data
2) The Sources of Data
3) The Accuracy of Data
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

11. 1-8. Summary and Conclusions
1) The key idea behind regression analysis is the statistic dependence of one variable on one or more other variable(s)
2) The objective of regression analysis is to estimate and/or predict the mean or average value of the dependent variable on basis of known (or fixed) values of explanatory variable(s)
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004

12. 1-8. Summary and Conclusions
3) The success of regression depends on the available and appropriate data
4) The researcher should clearly state the sources of the data used in the analysis, their definitions, their methods of collection, any gaps or omissions and any revisions in the data
Prof. Himayatullah
May 2004