HOW TO CREATE A MULTIPLE REGRESSION EQUATION

According to (Aron., Aron., Coups. 2009. p. 506), multiple regression is a procedure that is used “for predicting scores on a criterion variable from scores on two or more predictor variables.” The criterion variable is what is being predicted and usually represents (Y) while, the predictor variable is what we will predict from, and normally represents (X). With this is mind, I chose to develop a hypothetical multiple regression equation that will predict “success in course MM570-01: Applied Statistics for Psychology” as a criterion variable and/or (Y). There are also three predictor variables that will represent (X) in this equation. These are as follows:

(1) current level of interest in course – I chose this variable because an individual’s interest in a course and/or subject matter could affect his or her overall level of success.  

(2) current level of knowledge in course - I chose this variable because comprehension of material and/or subject matter could measure varying levels that may affect overall success.

(3) current level of motivation to succeed - I chose this variable because altering levels of individual motivation can be measured and might definitely affect overall success in the course.  

My expected results are that the three predictor variables above will predict a particular value for my chosen criterion variable. This is mainly because these three variables can be valuable factors to determine an individual’s overall success in a course. I also believe that the two strongest predictor variables would be one’s current level of interest in the course and level of motivation to succeed. This is because if a person is interested in a course, then it may peak a desire to learn. The individual will then choose what motivational level he or she will use to carry out the overall learning process. Since this is true, I think that variable 3 would also be the most important of all three variables. This is because if an individual is motivated enough to learn, then he or she can develop the interest and knowledge that is needed to become a success.

In order to develop a multiple regression equation that represents my criterion variable and/or an initial hypothesis, I will first need to determine what all of the values will be. I will acquire the predictor variable values (X) by using a 1-10 rating system with all current students who are in the course. 10 will represent the highest predictive value while 1 will represent the lowest. An (a) will equal the value that represents the regression constant, (b1) (b2) and (b3) will represent regression coefficients for the three predictor variables and (X1) (X2) and (X3) will represent a student’s scores on the three predicted variables.

According to (Aron., Aron., Coups. 2009. p. 506), (Y) or the criterion variable “is the regression constant, plus the regression coefficient for the first predictor variable multiplied by the person’s score on the first predictor variable, plus the regression coefficient for the second predictor variable multiplied by the person’s score on the second predictor variable, plus the regression coefficient for the third predictor variable multiplied by the person’s score on the third predictor variable.” Once, all of this data is provided, the completed equation will then look like this:

“Y or predictive success = a + (b1)(X1) + (b2)(X2) + (b3)(X3).”

After reviewing the above equation with all pertinent data applied, a predicted value for the criterion variable can then be determined.

Reference:

Aron, Aron, & Coups (2009). Statistics for Psychology. Pearson/Prentice-Hall.