If we want to compare the contribution of several predictors to the prediction of a dependent variable, we can get at least a rough idea by comparing
A) the regression coefficients.
B) the standardized regression coefficients.
C) the variances of the several variables.
D) the simple Pearson correlations of each variable with the dependent variable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best choice is to compare the standardized regression coefficients. This is because the standardized coefficients represent the magnitude of the effect of each predictor on the dependent variable, while controlling for the effects of other predictors in the model. This allows for a fair and direct comparison of the contribution of each predictor to the prediction of the dependent variable. Comparing regression coefficients alone could be misleading as they are dependent on the scale of the variables, and comparing variances of several variables or simple Pearson correlations of each variable with the dependent variable does not account for the contributions of other predictors in the model.

If We Want to Compare the Contribution of Several Predictors