You Have Collected Data for 104 Countries to Address the Difficult

question 57

Essay

You have collected data for 104 countries to address the difficult questions of the determinants for differences in the standard of living among the countries of the world.You recall from your macroeconomics lectures that the neoclassical growth model suggests that output per worker (per capita income)levels are determined by,among others,the saving rate and population growth rate.To test the predictions of this growth model,you run the following regression: = 0.339 - 12.894 × n + 1.397 × SK,R2=0.621,SER = 0.177
(0.068)(3.177)(0.229)
where RelPersInc is GDP per worker relative to the United States,n is the average population growth rate,1980-1990,and SK is the average investment share of GDP from 1960 to 1990 (remember investment equals saving).Numbers in parentheses are for heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors.
(a)Calculate the t-statistics and test whether or not each of the population parameters are significantly different from zero.
(b)The overall F-statistic for the regression is 79.11.What is the critical value at the 5% and 1% level? What is your decision on the null hypothesis?
(c)You remember that human capital in addition to physical capital also plays a role in determining the standard of living of a country.You therefore collect additional data on the average educational attainment in years for 1985,and add this variable (Educ)to the above regression.This results in the modified regression output: = 0.046 - 5.869 × n + 0.738 × SK + 0.055 × Educ,R2=0.775,SER = 0.1377
(0.079)(2.238)(0.294)(0.010)
How has the inclusion of Educ affected your previous results?
(d)Upon checking the regression output,you realize that there are only 86 observations,since data for Educ is not available for all 104 countries in your sample.Do you have to modify some of your statements in (d)?

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Definitions:

Commodification

The process of turning something into a commodity that can be bought, sold, or traded in the market.

Recreational Activities

Recreational activities are activities performed for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure during one's leisure time.

Leisure

Free time spent away from work and essential tasks, often dedicated to relaxation, entertainment, or hobbies.

Hypodermic Needle Model

A communication theory that suggests mass media has a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audience, likening the media influence to an injection given by a hypodermic needle.