Regression with Dummy Explanatory Variables: Some Methodological Issues
The study considers the inclusion of dummy explanatory variables (in regression estimation) in both cross –section and time series data. In survey data, a continuous variable may be categorized into a dummy variable dataset whenever the quality, reliability and internal consistency of the continuous data is put into question. In the process of categorization, vita information may be compromised: in other words there is loss of information. Furthermore, an arbitrary choice of cutoff points may yield different regression estimates depending on the cutoff point.