ABSTRACT
In this and in subsequent chapters, we shall examine statistical techniques that use sample data to investigate the relationship between a group of variables by constructing a model (typically linear in form) that can be used to express the value of one variable (the response or dependent or explained variable) in terms of the others (the independent or explanatory variables or regressors). In this regard, the independent variables can then be used to predict the value of the dependent variable. The process of fi nding the equation that best fi ts the sample dataset is part and parcel of what is termed regression analysis or regression modeling.
