Applied FW5411 Regression Analysis
January 10, 2005
PROJECT ONE: Paper Review
Introduction
Regression is a rich suite of analytical of tools. Often you'll pick up a textbook or read a published article and find regression used to answer a question you're familiar with, but the notation and the execution seem entirely different. Even more often you'll encounter regression used in ways you've never seen before, because the context is different (say because the discipline is different from yours) or because the author has different training and experience and approached the problem differently than you would have. In this project you will select and review a paper where regression is the principal analytical tool. The goal of this project is to learn by example. First, you get to tear into someone else's analysis, pull it apart, and see how it works. Second, you get to share with your classmates a regression situation from a discipline they aren't familiar with, bringing a new perspective.
Guidelines
Take some time to select a paper that is interesting, but features some aspect of regression as the cornerstone of the paper. The study doesn't have to focus on building a regression model; papers on model validation, regression theory, or use of an existing model to discover properties of an ecological system are fine. All I ask is that some aspect of regression be the central theme of the analysis, or of the paper itself. The paper should also be from your discipline. If you are studying ecophysiology, then find a paper that uses regression in ecophysiology. Your task is to prepare written a review of the paper and present the review to the class. Your review should discuss the objectives of the paper, how regression was intended by the authors to relate to those objectives, the way regression was executed or studied or evaluated, strengths and weaknesses of the analysis, how well the conclusions are supported, and ways you believe the analysis might be improved. I expect you will do some reading on your own to fully develop your review. Make a copy of the paper you've selected to review, and give it to me early. I'll scan it and make it available to the entire class. Starting in mid February, on each Friday, two students will have 20 minutes each to present their reviews to the class, after which we'll discuss your paper and review briefly.
Grading
This project is worth 20% of your course grade. Of the 20%, 15% or will be based on the depth, creativity, and professionalism of your written review. The other 5% or will be base...