How to compare the regression coefficients of two independent variables between two groups

Question

I want to test whether the coefficients of two independent variables ($x_1, x_2$) are different in two groups.

I know I can use a dummy variable $d$ which equals $1$ for group $1$ and equals $0$ for group $2$, and then get the regression model $y=β_0+β_1d+β_2x+β_3xd$ to see whether $β_3$ significantly differs from $0$. But in this model, there is only one independent variable $x$. How can I use a dummy variable when I have more than one independent variable?

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 20 '18 at 04:18

0

You just need two interaction terms. Your model would be:
$$ y=β_0+β_1d+β_2x_1+β_3x_2 + \beta_4x_1d + \beta_5x_2d $$ From there, if you wanted to test them individually, you would just inspect the $t$-test that came standardly with your output for each of the two interactions. If you wanted to test them both together, you would drop the two interaction terms and fit a nested model. Then you would perform a nested model test.

answered Feb 20 '18 at 04:18

gung - Reinstate Monica

145,122

Thanks so much. And may I know more about the nested model test? Is it to test whether the model B: y=β0+β1d+β2x1+β3x2+β4x1d+β5x2d is better than model A: y=β0+β2x1+β3x2? – moon star Feb 20 '18 at 19:27
@moonstar, yes, you take your "A" as the null, & see if you should reject that in favor of "B". If the test is significant, there is information in those 2 interaction terms (somewhere). Regarding nested model tests, it may help to read my answer here: esting for moderation with continuous vs. categorical moderators. – gung - Reinstate Monica Feb 20 '18 at 19:37

How to compare the regression coefficients of two independent variables between two groups

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