In the described regression, the slope is negative and significant. Which interpretation is correct?

In the described regression, the slope is negative and significant. Which interpretation is correct?

• A. The slope is positive and significant
• B. The intercept is negative
• C. The slope is negative but not significant
• D. The slope is negative and statistically significant

Answer: (D)

Interpreting a regression slope. The slope shows how the outcome changes when the predictor goes up by one unit. A negative slope means the outcome tends to decrease as the predictor increases. Significance means this relationship is unlikely to be due to random chance; the data provide evidence of a real, systematic association. So a negative and statistically significant slope indicates a reliable negative relationship between the predictor and the outcome. Note that the intercept’s sign isn’t determined by the slope’s sign or its significance; the intercept is about the expected outcome when the predictor equals zero and depends on the data in a separate way. The other statements either contradict the observed negative slope or ignore its significance.

Interpreting a regression slope. The slope shows how the outcome changes when the predictor goes up by one unit. A negative slope means the outcome tends to decrease as the predictor increases. Significance means this relationship is unlikely to be due to random chance; the data provide evidence of a real, systematic association. So a negative and statistically significant slope indicates a reliable negative relationship between the predictor and the outcome.

Note that the intercept’s sign isn’t determined by the slope’s sign or its significance; the intercept is about the expected outcome when the predictor equals zero and depends on the data in a separate way. The other statements either contradict the observed negative slope or ignore its significance.