Dummy variable

< Probability and statistics definitions

A dummy variable is a numerical variable used in regression analysis to represent subgroups of the sample in your study. In research design, a dummy variable is often used to distinguish different treatment groups. In the simplest case, we would use a 0,1 dummy variable where a person is given a value of 0 if they are in the control group or a 1 if they are in the treatment group.

Dummy variables are useful because they enable us to use a single regression equation to represent multiple groups. This means that we don’t need to write out separate equation models for each subgroup. The dummy variables act like ‘switches’ that turn various parameters on and off in an equation. Another advantage of a 0,1 dummy-coded variable is that even though it is a nominal-level variable you can still include it in calculations (unlike rank-order or dichotomous variables). This gives you more flexibility when you are conducting your analysis.

How to Code Dummy Variables

When you are creating dummy variables, it is important to code them correctly. The coding system that you use will depend on the number of groups that you have in your study.

For example, let’s say that you have three groups in your study: Group 1 (the control group), Group 2 (the first treatment group), and Group 3 (the second treatment group). When you create your dummy variables, you would code Group 1 as 0, Group 2 as 1, and Group 3 as 2. This coding system tells the statistician that there are three groups and what the reference group is. The reference group is always coded as 0.

You can also code this using a 0,1 system where Group 1 (the control group) is still coded as 0 but Group 2 (the first treatment group) is now coded as 1 and Group 3 (the second treatment group) is now coded as 0. In this case, the statistician would interpret the results differently because they would read Group 2 as the reference group instead of Group 1. It is important to be clear about which groups you are comparing and how those groups have been coded before you run any statistical tests.

Conclusion

Dummy variables are a handy tool that statisticians can use in regression analysis to compare subgroups within a larger sample size. Dummy variables enable us to use a single regression equation to represent multiple groups, which saves time and energy when we are conducting our analysis. When creating dummy variables, it is important to code them correctly depending on the number of groups present in your study. By using dummy variables correctly, you can more easily compare subgroups and make sound conclusions about your data set.