[title of your research project] [author] INST 381 [semester] [year]
Research Question [Empirical puzzle or theoretical debate] [photo, picture, or infographics optional]
Causal Theory Literature Review [Your contribution]
Hypotheses Hypothesis 1: [all else being equal, ...] Hypothesis 2:
Dependent Variable Conceptual definition: [] Operational definition:
Independent Variable(s) Conceptual definition: [] Operational definition:
The Data [brief description/citation of the data] [principal investigators] [geographic coverage] [time period/date of collection] [unit of observation, e.g. individuals, states ...] [sampling method] [how the data was collected]
Descriptive Statistics Variables min mean median max standard deviation % missing [varname]
[descriptive charts optional] [bar, line, histogram, and/or scatterplot ...]
Regression Model [name of dependent variable] = β0 + β1*[name of 1st independent variable] + β2*[name of 2nd independent variable] + β3*[possible interaction between two independent variables if applicable] + β4*[name of another independent or control variable in the regression model] + [...]
[sample] Regression Results variables Coefficient estimate Standard error (Constant) 12.325*** (3.194) 11.785*** (3.187) 11.316*** (3.199) [variable] 0.389*** (0.074) 0.354*** (0.073) (0.072) -2.010* (1.023) -1.910 (1.021) (1.029) 4.887* (2.454) 4.239 (2.544) -0.020 (0.020) -0.019 ... R-square 0.133 0.156 0.177 N 200 *: p<0.1; **: p<0.05; ***: p<0.01
Estimated Regression Equation(s) [name of dependent variable] = [value of coefficient estimate] + [value of coefficient estimate]*[name of 1st independent variable] + [value of coefficient estimate]*[name of 2nd independent variable] + [value of coefficient estimate]*[name of another independent or control variable in the regression model] + [...] [if interaction write two separate equations]
Interpret the Regression Results The regression coefficient for [1st independent variable] is [/not] statistically significant at the 5 per cent level. Controlling for the other variables, a one-unit increase in the [1st independent variable] is associated with a [value of the coefficient estimate] [increase/decrease] in the [name of the dependent variable].
Interpret the Regression Results The regression coefficient for [2nd independent variable] is [/not] statistically significant at the 5 per cent level. Controlling for the other variables, a one-unit increase in the [2nd independent variable] is associated with a [value of the coefficient estimate] [increase/decrease] in the [name of the dependent variable].
Interpret the Regression Results [other interesting findings from the regression, such as changes in the value of adjusted R-square, coefficient estimates for interaction terms and/or for other control variables].
Bibliography [four references (academic journal articles, book chapters, etc.]