In order to get a handle on this multicollinearity thing, let's first investigate the effects that uncorrelated predictors have on regression analyses. To do so, we'll investigate a "contrived" data set, in which the predictors are perfectly uncorrelated. Then, we'll investigate the second example of a "real" data set, in which the predictors are nearly uncorrelated. Our two investigations will allow us to summarize the effects that uncorrelated predictors have on regression analyses.

Then, on the next page, we'll investigate the effects that highly correlated predictors have on regression analyses. In doing so, we'll learn — and therefore be able to summarize — the various effects multicollinearity has on regression analyses.

What is the effect on regression analyses if the predictors are perfectly uncorrelated?

Consider the following matrix plot of the response y and two predictors \(x_{1}\) and \(x_{2}\), of a contrived data set (Uncorrelated Predictors data set), in which the predictors are perfectly uncorrelated:

As you can see there is no apparent relationship at all between the predictors \(x_{1}\) and \(x_{2}\). That is, the correlation between \(x_{1}\) and \(x_{2}\) is zero:

suggesting the two predictors are perfectly uncorrelated.

Now, let's just proceed quickly through the output of a series of regression analyses collecting various pieces of information along the way. When we're done, we'll review what we learned by collating the various items in a summary table.

The regression of the response y on the predictor \(x_{1}\):

yields the estimated coefficient \(b_{1}\) = -1.00, the standard error se(\(b_{1}\)) = 1.47, and the regression sum of squares SSR(\(x_{1}\)) = 8.000.

The regression of the response y on the predictor \(x_{2}\):

yields the estimated coefficient \(b_{2}\) = -1.75, the standard error se(\(b_{2}\)) = 1.35, and the regression sum of squares SSR(\(x_{2}\)) = 24.50.

The regression of the response y on the predictors \(x_{1 }\) and \(x_{2}\) (in that order):

yields the estimated coefficients \(b_{1}\) = -1.00 and \(b_{2}\) = -1.75, the standard errors se(\(b_{1}\)) = 1.41 and se(\(b_{2}\)) = 1.41, and the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{2}\)|\(x_{1}\)) = 24.500.

The regression of the response y on the predictors \(x_{2 }\) and \(x_{1}\) (in that order):

yields the estimated coefficients \(b_{1}\) = -1.00 and \(b_{2}\) = -1.75, the standard errors se(\(b_{1}\)) = 1.41 and se(\(b_{2}\)) = 1.41, and the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{1}\)|\(x_{2}\)) = 8.000.

Okay — as promised — compiling the results in a summary table, we obtain:

What do we observe?

• The estimated slope coefficients \(b_{1}\) and \(b_{2}\) are the same regardless of the model used.
• The standard errors se(\(b_{1}\)) and se(\(b_{2}\)) don't change much at all from model to model.
• The sum of squares SSR(\(x_{1}\)) is the same as the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{1}\)|\(x_{2}\)). The sum of squares SSR(\(x_{2}\)) is the same as the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{2}\)|\(x_{1}\)).

These all seem to be good things! Because the slope estimates stay the same, the effect on the response ascribed to a predictor doesn't depend on the other predictors in the model. Because SSR(\(x_{1}\)) = SSR(\(x_{1}\)|\(x_{2}\)), the marginal contribution that \(x_{1}\) has in reducing the variability in the response y doesn't depend on the predictor \(x_{2}\). Similarly, because SSR(\(x_{2}\)) = SSR(\(x_{2}\)|\(x_{1}\)), the marginal contribution that \(x_{2}\) has in reducing the variability in the response y doesn't depend on the predictor \(x_{1}\).

These are the things we can hope for in regression analysis — but, then reality sets in! Recall that we obtained the above results for a contrived data set, in which the predictors are perfectly uncorrelated. Do we get similar results for real data with only nearly uncorrelated predictors? Let's see!

To investigate this question, let's go back and take a look at the blood pressure data set (Blood Pressure data set). In particular, let's focus on the relationships among the response y = BP and the predictors \(x_{3}\) = BSA and \(x_{6}\) = Stress:

As the above matrix plot and the following correlation matrix suggest:

there appears to be a strong relationship between y = BP and the predictor \(x_{3}\) = BSA (r = 0.866), a weak relationship between y = BP and \(x_{6}\) = Stress (r = 0.164), and an almost non-existent relationship between \(x_{3}\) = BSA and \(x_{6}\) = Stress (r = 0.018). That is, the two predictors are nearly perfectly uncorrelated.

What effect do these nearly perfectly uncorrelated predictors have on regression analyses? Let's proceed similarly through the output of a series of regression analyses collecting various pieces of information along the way. When we're done, we'll review what we learned by collating the various items in a summary table.

The regression of the response y = BP on the predictor \(x_{6}\)= Stress:

yields the estimated coefficient \(b_{6}\) = 0.0240, the standard error se(\(b_{6}\)) = 0.0340, and the regression sum of squares SSR(\(x_{6}\)) = 15.04.

The regression of the response y = BP on the predictor \(x_{3 }\)= BSA:

yields the estimated coefficient \(b_{3}\) = 34.44, the standard error se(\(b_{3}\)) = 4.69, and the regression sum of squares SSR(\(x_{3}\)) = 419.858.

The regression of the response y = BP on the predictors \(x_{6}\)= Stress and \(x_{3}\)= BSA (in that order):

yields the estimated coefficients \(b_{6}\) = 0.0217 and \(b_{3}\) = 34.33, the standard errors se(\(b_{6}\)) = 0.0170 and se(\(b_{2}\)) = 4.61, and the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{3}\)|\(x_{6}\)) = 417.07.

Finally, the regression of the response y = BP on the predictors \(x_{3 }\)= BSA and \(x_{6}\)= Stress (in that order):

yields the estimated coefficients \(b_{6}\) = 0.0217 and \(b_{3}\) = 34.33, the standard errors se(\(b_{6}\)) = 0.0170 and se(\(b_{2}\)) = 4.61, and the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{6}\)|\(x_{3}\)) = 12.26.

Again — as promised — compiling the results in a summary table, we obtain:

What do we observe? If the predictors are nearly perfectly uncorrelated:

• We don't get identical, but very similar slope estimates \(b_{3}\) and \(b_{6}\), regardless of the predictors in the model.
• The sum of squares SSR(\(x_{3}\)) is not the same, but very similar to the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{3}\)|\(x_{6}\)).
• The sum of squares SSR(\(x_{6}\)) is not the same, but very similar to the sequential sum of squares SSR(\(x_{6}\)|\(x_{3}\)).

Again, these are all good things! In short, the effect on the response ascribed to a predictor is similar regardless of the other predictors in the model. And, the marginal contribution of a predictor doesn't appear to depend much on the other predictors in the model.