PPA 207 Checklist for Final Paper
(Your Grade Will Be Based Upon How Well You Satisfy the Items on This List.)

A PowerPoint presentation on paper contents must be made on March 22.

If you wish that I review first draft of paper, it must be in my PPA office mailbox by April 11.  I will return comments to you by April 21.

All must turn in final draft of paper on May 2.  Each day it is late will results in one lower grade deduction.

OVERALL

• There is a cover page with title, your name, and date handed in.  __
• The six major sections in your paper are marked by roman numerals and heading titles. __
• The first paragraph of each major section should contain an introductory paragraph that briefly describes what is in it.  __
• Sub-sections within your paper contain headings. __
• There are no spelling errors. __
• There is a minimum of grammatical errors. __
• Transitions between paragraphs are smooth. __
• One inch margins, 11 font, and double-spaced. __
• Include a list of references at end of paper. __
• For other style issues use the APA style given in Hacker's A Pocket Style Manual. __
• The audience for your paper is an educated layperson and explanations are done appropriately. __
• Turn in a disk copy of paper in Microsoft Word format. __

I. INTRODUCTION (2 - 3 pages)

• The first paragraph clearly contains your research question.  What are you trying to discover through regression analysis?  What is the key explanatory variable? __
• The remainder of your introduction motivates the reader to continue by placing your question in the context of current events, and public policy and administration studies. __
• Cite at least two popular newspaper or magazine articles that point out the populist importance of your proposed policy change, or some of the benefits/costs it may generate.  Use search engines like http://www.sacbee.com/ , http://www.latimes.com/ , and/or http://www.latimes.com/ .
• The last paragraph contains a description of what will be contained in the remaining five sections. A one-sentence description for each section is appropriate. __

II. LITERATURE REVIEW (2 - 3 pages)

• Contains a description of at least three other pieces of research in the area.  You can find this research by searching ECONLIT  which is accessible from CSUS or a SacLink account.  Search using keywords that include "regression" and your topic.  Be sure that 2/3 of the articles you choose use some form of regression analysis.  __
• Divide your literature review into two themes (or subsections).  The first is what can be learned from the academic research that applies to your proposed  study (i.e., what is done right and what is can be improved upon in the pieces of research you examined).  The second is the conclusion/findings of these studies and how you expect them to compare to yours. __

III. MODEL (1 - 2 pages)

• Offer a motivation for your choice of a dependent variable. How does it relate to your thesis question?  Also include a description of the broad factors expected to cause your dependent variable.  The factors should first be listed as broad causes (say causes A, B, C, etc.) and the specific variables which represent broad causes {A = f(x1, x2, x3, etc.), B = f(x4, x5), C = f (x6, x7,x8), etc.) __
• Write the model as: Y = f(x1, x2, x3, .......); substituting your specifics for Y, x1, etc. __
• Do not use acronyms to describe x₁, x₂, etc., instead write out a short 3 to 5 word description.
• What is the expected direction of effect for each of the specific causes (positive, negative, uncertain)? Justify! __

IV. DATA (2 - 3 pages)

• What variables do you use to specifically proxy for each of the broad causes? Justify your choices. __
• Create a Table 1 that provides description and source for each variable used. (No direct SPSS results allowed for any tables. Create tables in your own form and be consistent throughout. Place title on all tables.) __
• Create a Table 2 that provides variable name, mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum.__
• Create a Table 3 that provides simple correlation coefficients between all independent variables.__

V. REGRESSION ANALYSIS (2 - 3 pages)

• List your regression results in table form. (No direct SPSS results allowed.) __
• First just give the standard ols results with no corrections.  If possible, this should begin with the log-linear form.  If not possible, begin with linear-linear form.   __
• If possible, try running linear-linear and/or log-log specifications.  If fit better than log-linear, report it and use it in remaining corrections. __
• Discuss how you checked for multicolinearity, was it an issue, and if it was, how you corrected for it.  Be sure to include VIF values.  __
• Did you try including regional or location dummies where appropriate?  Discuss your findings. __
• Check for heteroskedasticity in your regression by presenting and describing the Park Test. If present, provided the appropriate new results. __
• If your dependent variable is dichotomous (0 or 1).  Report both OLS and logit regression results.  Describe what both mean and which of the two is more appropriate.  __
• Is endogeneity an issue for any of your casual variables? If not justify why you believe so. If it is, tell why and describe how you would correct using 2SLS. __ (Extra Credit)

VI. CONCLUSION (2-3 pages)

• Considering your final regression result (with all the appropriate corrections), turn regression coefficients into elasticities and report them. __
• Discuss which of your coefficients are significant at 90 and 99 percent confidence interval. __
• For your significant coefficients, how do they compare to the expected signs you described in model section? If findings are different, give a reason why it may be the case. __
• For your significant coefficients, describe the relevance of variable in regard to the magnitude of its elasticity.__
• Interpret the R-Squared. __
• Evaluate your thesis question. What does your regression results indicate in regard to it?__
• Suggest improvements that you would undertake if had the time. Is there potential here for a Master’s Thesis? __

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