A Statistics Professor Investigated Some of the Factors That Affect $y = \beta _ { 0 } + \beta _ { 1 } x _ { 1 } + \beta _ { 2 } x _ { 2 } + \beta _ { 3 } x _ { 3 } + \varepsilon$

question 109

Essay

A statistics professor investigated some of the factors that affect an individual student's final grade in his or her course. He proposed the multiple regression model: $y = \beta _ { 0 } + \beta _ { 1 } x _ { 1 } + \beta _ { 2 } x _ { 2 } + \beta _ { 3 } x _ { 3 } + \varepsilon$ .
Where:
y = final mark (out of 100). $x _ { 1 }$ = number of lectures skipped. $x _ { 2 }$ = number of late assignments. $x _ { 3 }$ = mid-term test mark (out of 100).
The professor recorded the data for 50 randomly selected students. The computer output is shown below.
THE REGRESSION EQUATION IS = $41.6 - 3.18 x _ { 1 } - 1.17 x _ { 2 } + .63 x _ { 3 }$ $$\begin{array} { | c | c c c | } \hline \text { Predictor } & \text { Coef } & \text { StDev } & \mathrm { T } \\\hline \text { Constant } & 41.6 & 17.8 & 2.337 \\x _ { 1 } & - 3.18 & 1.66 & - 1.916 \\x _ { 2 } & - 1.17 & 1.13 & - 1.035 \\x _ { 3 } & 0.63 & 0.13 & 4.846 \\\hline\end{array}$$ S = 13.74 R-Sq = 30.0%. $$\begin{array}{l}\text { ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE }\\\begin{array} { | l | c c c c | } \hline \text { Source of Variation } & \mathrm { df } & \text { SS } & \text { MS } & \text { F } \\\hline \text { Regression } & 3 & 3716 & 1238.667 & 6.558 \\\text { Error } & 46 & 8688 & 188.870 & \\\hline \text { Total } & 49 & 12404 & & \\\hline\end{array}\end{array}$$ Interpret the coefficients $b _ { 1 }$ and $b _ { 3 }$ .

Identify the conditions under which various reward systems are most effective in achieving high-performance work environments.

Acknowledge the limitations and advantages of goal setting in organizational performance and employee motivation.

Understand individual responses to job dissatisfaction and strategies to mitigate them.

Recognize the role of skill-based pay in motivating employees and its limitations, including the concept of "topping out."

---

Definitions:

Individual-Level Problem

Issues or challenges that affect individuals on a personal level, often distinct from problems of larger societal or communal scale.

Personal Choices

Decisions made by individuals based on personal preferences, beliefs, or circumstances.

Symbolic Interaction Theory

A sociological theory that analyzes how individuals use symbols to create meaning in social interactions, shaping their perceptions and behaviors.

Illness

A state of poor health, characterized by symptoms or diseases, affecting an individual’s body or mind.