A Researcher Had a Categorical Variable That They Wanted to Include

question 7

Multiple Choice

A researcher had a categorical variable that they wanted to include as a predictor in a regression equation. The researcher was trying to predict the success of a back pain intervention, and the categorical variable was the duration of the back pain prior to treatment, with 4 categories: less than 6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, more than 2 years. They needed to code these variables into dummy variables for the regression using less than 6 months as their control category. Which of the following represents the correct coding scheme?

• A) \[\begin{array} { | l | l | r | r | r | }
• \hline\quad\quad\quad\quad & \quad\quad\begin{array} { c }
• \\
• \\
• \\
• \text { Duration of Pain } \\
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 1 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { 6-12 Months) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 2 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• 1 - 2 \text { Years) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 3 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { Over 2 Years) }
• \end{array} \\
• \hline
• & \text { Under 6 Months } & 1 & 1 & 1 \\
• & \text { 6-12 Months } &1 & 0 & 0\\
• & 1 - 2 \text { Years }& 0 & 1 & 0 \\
• &\text { More Than 2 Years }& 0 & 0 & 1\\
• \hline
• \end{array}\]
• B) \[\begin{array} { | l | l | r | r | r | }
• \hline\quad\quad\quad\quad & \quad\quad\begin{array} { c }
• \\
• \\
• \\
• \text { Duration of Pain } \\
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 1 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { 6-12 Months) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 2 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• 1 - 2 \text { Years) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 3 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { Over 2 Years) }
• \end{array} \\
• \hline
• & \text { Under 6 Months } & 0 & 0 & 0 \\
• & \text { 6-12 Months } &1 & 0 & 0\\
• & 1 - 2 \text { Years }& 0 & 1 & 0 \\
• &\text { More Than 2 Years }& 0 & 0 & 1\\
• \hline
• \end{array}\]
• C) \[\begin{array} { | l | l | r | r | r | }
• \hline\quad\quad\quad\quad & \quad\quad\begin{array} { c }
• \\
• \\
• \\
• \text { Duration of Pain } \\
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 1 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { 6-12 Months) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 2 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• 1 - 2 \text { Years) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 3 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { Over 2 Years) }
• \end{array} \\
• \hline
• & \text { Under 6 Months } & 0 & 0 & 0 \\
• & \text { 6-12 Months } &0 &1 & 1\\
• & 1 - 2 \text { Years }& 1 & 0 & 1 \\
• &\text { More Than 2 Years }& 1 &1&0\\
• \hline
• \end{array}\]
• D) \[\begin{array} { | l | l | r | r | r | }
• \hline\quad\quad\quad\quad & \quad\quad\begin{array} { c }
• \\
• \\
• \\
• \text { Duration of Pain } \\
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 1 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { 6-12 Months) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 2 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• 1 - 2 \text { Years) }
• \end{array} & \begin{array} { c }
• \text { Dummy 3 } \\
• \text { (Under 6 } \\
• \text { Months vs } \\
• \text { Over 2 Years) }
• \end{array} \\
• \hline
• & \text { Under 6 Months } & 0 & 0 & 0 \\
• & \text { 6-12 Months } &0 &1 & 1\\
• & 1 - 2 \text { Years }& 1 & 0 & 1 \\
• &\text { More Than 2 Years }& 1 &1&0\\
• \hline
• \end{array}\]

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Definitions:

Folkways

The least important norms and violating them evokes the least severe punishment.

Mores

Core norms that most people believe are essential for the survival of their group or society.

Laws

The system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, ensuring order, safety, and justice within a society.

Taboos

Are among the strongest norms. When someone violates a taboo, it causes revulsion in the community, and punishment is severe.