Correlation and Bivariate Regression
Article Critique: Correlation and Bivariate Regression
Instructions:-
For this Assignment, you will continue your practice as a critical consumer of research. You will critically evaluate a scholarly article related to correlation and bivariate regression.
Write a 2- to 3-page critique of the article you found. In your critique, include responses to the following:
- Why did the authors use correlation or bivariate regression?
- Do you think it’s the most appropriate choice? Why or why not?
- Did the authors display the data?
- Does the results table stand-alone (i.e., are you able to interpret the study from it?) Why or why
Solution
Article Critique: Correlation and Bivariate Regression
The article critiqued is “Cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment: An exploratory analysis of 41 less developed economies” by Williams. Written in 2015, this article seeks to critically compare the various competing explanations for the variance in the cross-national levels of informal employment in less developed economies. Thus, the independent variable in this study is the various competing reasons that have been used to explain informal unemployment. The dependent variable, on the other hand, is the cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment (Williams, 2015). Some of the competing explanations comprising the independent variables, which the authors consider include corruption, high levels of taxation and economic underdevelopment. These variables are subjected to bivariate regression. The data used for analysis is derived from the survey on informal employment by the International Labour Organization.
The authors use a bivariate regression approach for a number of reasons. For starters, this approach is necessary in order to satisfy the aims of the study. It allows the authors to analyze the various economic and social characteristics reported as being responsible for cross-national variations. Additionally, the authors also report that the bivariate regression approach was the most appropriate, given limitations that inhibited the use of multivariate regression. These limitations included the sample size of just 41 countries, and a lack of necessary controls for use in a multivariate approach.
The bivariate approach was not the most suitable choice for the study. Given that the study entailed more than one predictive variable, a multivariate regression analysis would have been the most suitable. In consideration of the issues raised by the author, however, particularly on the absence of controls, then the bivariate approach is thus justified. It, however, has the resultant limitation that it does not reveal any relationships that may exist between the various independent variables. This limitation has the capacity to undermine the quality and the findings of the study. Indeed, the failure to use a multivariate regression is one of the research limitations noted by the author. He further indicates that this limitation made it difficult to establish the importance of each characteristic.
In this work, the author displays the data. This includes the research outcomes. The data is displayed in a number of tables. These tables are highly descriptive, with the captions extensively detailing the nature of the data presented. The tables are very clear to understand. Apart from the tables, the author also includes two charts. These figures are useful in understanding the results of the regression. Unfortunately, however, none of the tables and figures presented pertain to the central aim of the study. Rather, the presented tables indicate the relationship between other aspects of the study.
The results table is
able to stand on its own. It is rather easy to interpret. As noted, the author
provides descriptive captions, which make the reader aware of what the data
included in the table entails. The table is neatly presented. These tables,
however, are not particularly useful in understanding the research,
particularly because they do not pertain to the central aim of the research.
Given that the author presents the results of regression analysis for each of
the noted variables pertaining to the core research objective, they should have
included a table or chart to illustrate the relationship between these
variables.
References
Williams, C. C. (2015). Cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment: An exploratory analysis of 41 less developed economies. International Journal of Manpower, 36(2), 118-135.