Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dummy Variables
Note: Data and workfiles for this tutorial are provided in:
Data: Data.xlsx
Results: Results.wf1
Practice Workfile: Data.wf1
Data and Workfile Documentation
Data.wf1 and Data.xlsx consist of two pages (tabs) with the following data:
Workfile Page: Dated (Data.xlsx tab Dated): daily, from Jan 1, 1950 August 2, 2012
Volume S&P 500 volume (source: St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, FRED Database)
Volume1- percent change in S&P500 Volume
Return S&P 500 return (source: St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, FRED Database)
2
Data Series Objects: Series and Groups
It is fairly easy to create dummy variables in EViews by using sample
commands or a number of EViews functions:
smpl
@recode
@date
@expand
3
Creating Dummy Variables
Using Samples
Creating Dummy Variables Using Samples:
Example 1
The easiest way to create dummy variables in EViews is by using samples
(smpl command).
Lets illustrate a few examples using the Dated page in Workfile Data.wf1.
Suppose you would like to create a dummy variable equal to 1, if return>0.2,
and 0 otherwise.
Dummies with samples: Example 1
1. Open Data.wf1 workfile. Click on the
Dated page.
smpl if return>0.2
series dummy1=1
smpl if return<=0.2
series dummy1=0
5
Creating Dummy Variables Using Samples:
Example 1 (contd)
The original series (return) and the new dummy variable are both shown here.
6
Creating Dummy Variables Using Samples:
Example 2
Now suppose you would like to create a dummy variable equal to 1, if
return>0.3, or return<=-0.3, and 0 otherwise.
Dummies with samples: Example 2
Original Series Dummy Variable
1. Click on Dated workfile page. Type in the
command window:
smplifreturn>0.3orreturn<=0.3
seriesdummy2=1
smplifreturn>0.3andreturn<0.3
seriesdummy2=0
7
Creating Dummy Variables
Using @recode function
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode
Another way to create dummy variables in EViews is by using @recode
function.
Function Description
@recode(s,x,y) Returns x if condition s is true; otherwise it returns y
9
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 1
Suppose you want to create a dummy equal to 1 if return<=0.2, 0 otherwise.
2. Press Enter.
Alternatively:
1. Click on the top menu bar of and select Quick
Generate Series.
2. The Generate Series by Equation dialog box
opens up. Specify here your dummy expression
(as shown here).
3. Click OK.
10
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 1 (contd)
The original series (return) and the new dummy variable are both shown here.
11
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 2
Create a dummy variable equal to 1 if -0.2<return<1, 0 otherwise.
2. Press Enter.
Original Series Dummy Variable
12
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 3
Create a dummy variable equal to 1 if return<=-1.2 or return>=1, 0 otherwise.
2. Press Enter.
Original Series Dummy Variable
13
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 4
Suppose you would like to create two new series by separating an
existing series (return) as follows;
series1 collects values of return for which -0.3<return<0.3
series2 collects values of return for which return<=-0.3 or return>=0.3
14
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 4 (contd)
The original series (return) and the two new dummy variables are shown here.
15
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 5
Lets create a total return index from daily S&P500 returns.
2. Press Enter.
Original Series Index
16
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 6
Lastly, suppose you want to create a series that excludes outliers from the
return series in the previous example.
Specifically, suppose that the new series excludes the highest and the lowest
2.5% values of returns.
Dummies with @recode: Example 6
1. Click on Dated workfile page. Type in the command window:
seriesno_outlier=@recode(return>@quantile(return,0.025)and
return<@quantile(return,0.975),return,na)
2. Press Enter.
17
Creating Dummy Variables Using @recode:
Example 6 (contd)
The original series (return) and the new series are shown here.
18
A Few Notes on Simple Dummy Variables
For simple dummies, you dont need to use smpl or @recode.
You can create them simply by defining the logical expression directly in the
command window, as shown in the following examples.
However, you may have to use smpl or @recode for more complex cases.
19
A few Notes on Simple Dummy Variables:
Example 1
Create a dummy equal to 1 if return<=0, and 0 otherwise.
2. Press Enter.
20
A few Notes on Simple Dummy Variables:
Example 2
Create a dummy equal to 1 if return<=-0.5 or return>=0.1, and 0 otherwise.
Simple Dummies: Example 2
1. Click on Dated workfile page. Type in the command
window:
seriesd2=return<=0.5orreturn>=0.1
21
Date Dummy Variables
Creating Date Dummies
Dated dummies can be created by using @recode and @date or @dateval.
For more details on date functions, see tutorial on Date Functions.
Main Functions
Function Description
@date Returns the date associated with each observation
@quarter Returns the quarter of the year in which each observation begins
@month Returns the month of the year in which each observation begins
@day Returns the day of the month in which each observations begins
23
Creating Date Dummies:
Example 1
Suppose you want to create a dummy variable equal to 1 for all dates after
1995/03/15 and 0 otherwise.
Date Dummies: Example 1
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Now, type in the command window:
seriesdumdate1=@recode(@date>@dateval("1995/3/15"),1,0)
2. Press Enter.
24
Creating Date Dummies:
Example 2
Create a dummy variable equal to 1 for all dates before April 1979 and after
February 1994.
Date Dummies: Example 2
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Type in the command window:
seriesdumdate2=@recode(@date<@dateval("1979m4")or
@date>@dateval("1994m2"),1,0)
25
Creating Date Dummies:
Example 2 (contd)
A graph of the new dummy variable is shown here.
As you can see, it assumes a value of 1 prior to April 1979 and post
February 1994.
Dummy Variable
26
Creating Date Dummies:
Example 4
Dated dummies can also be created using @year, @month, @day date functions.
Create a dummy equal to 1 if the month is January or the day of the week is Friday.
Date Dummies: Example 4
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Now, type in the command window:
seriesdumdate4=@recode(@month=1or@weekday=5,1,0)
2. Press Enter.
27
Creating Date Dummies:
Example 5
Create a dummy equal to 1 for all years after 1994 if the month is January or the
day of the week is Friday.
2. Press Enter.
2. Press Enter.
28
Creating Date Dummies:
Example 6
Create a dummy variable equal to 1 for all months when there is a presidential
election.
Date Dummies: Example 6
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Now, type in the command window:
smpl@all Dummy Variable
seriesdumpres=0
smplif@mod(@year,4)=0and@month=11
seriesdumpres=1
smpl@all
29
Dummy Variables in Non-Dated
Workfiles
Dummies in Non-dated Workfiles
You can follow the methodology used in Dated Dummies to create dummies
in non-dated workfiles.
Simply use @obsnum (instead of @date) to create the dummy variables.
31
Creating Dummies in Non-Dated Workfiles:
Example 1
In the Cross-Section page, create a dummy variable equal to 1 after the 5th
observation, and 0 otherwise.
Dummies in non-Dated Workfiles: Example 1
1. Click on the Cross-Section workfile page. Now, type in the command window:
seriesdum1=@recode(@obsnum>5,1,0) Dummy Variable
2. Press Enter.
2. Press Enter.
32
Creating Dummies in Non-Dated Workfiles:
Example 2
In the Cross-Section page, create a dummy variable equal to 1 for all the
observations between the 7th and 12th observation
Dummies in non-Dated Workfiles: Example 2
1. Click on the Cross-Section workfile page. Now, type in the command window:
seriesdum2=@recode((@obsnum>=7and@obsnum<=12),1,0)
2. Press Enter.
33
Creating Dummy Variables
Using @expand function
Creating Categorical Dummies
Categorical dummies can be easily created by using @expand function.
Function Description
@expand Allows you to create a group of dummy variables by expanding
out one or more series into individual categories
35
Creating Dummy Variables using @expand:
Example 1: Categorical Dummies
Lets create a group of series as follows:
One series with 1 if female and 0 if male
One series with 1 if male and 0 if female
2. Press Enter.
36
Creating Dummy Variables using @expand:
Example 2: Categorical Dummies
Now lets create a new group of series as follows:
One series containing 1 if male and single.
One series containing 1 if male and married.
One series containing 1 if female and single.
One series containing 1 if female and married.
2. Press Enter.
37
Creating Dummy Variables using @expand:
Example 3: Categorical Dummies
Now lets create a new group of series as follows:
One series equal to educ (years of education) if male (female=0).
One series equal to educ if female (female =1).
2. Press Enter.
38
Creating Dummy Variables using @expand:
Example 4: Date Dummies
Dummies can also be created by using @expand in conjunction with other
date functions (@year, @month, @day, etc.).
For example, suppose you would like to create a dummy variable for each
day of the week.
Dummies using @expand: Example 4
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Type in the command window:
groupg1@expand(@weekday)
2. Press Enter.
39
Creating Dummy Variables using @expand:
Example 5: Date Dummies
Suppose that now you would like to create a dummy variable for each year.
Dummies using @expand: Example 5
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Type in the command window:
groupg2@expand(@year)
2. Press Enter.
40
Dummy Variables in Regressions
Dummies in Regressions:
Example 1
In EViews you can use dummy variable expressions in regressions without
having to first create and save the dummies.
Suppose you would like to estimate a regression of return on volume1 and a
dummy variable equal to 1 for all dates after 1994/12/2.
Dummies in Regressions: Example 1
1. Click on the Dated workfile page. Type in the
command window:
equationeq1.lsreturncvolume1
@date>@dateval("1994/12/2")
Alternatively:
1. Select Quick Estimate Equation from
the top menu bar.
2. The Equation Estimation box opens up.
Specify here your equation (as shown in
the figure)
3. Click OK.
42
Dummies in Regressions:
Example 1 (contd)
The estimation output is shown here.
As you can see EViews estimates the coefficient of the dummy variable
directly without us having to create and save the date dummy first.
2. Press Enter.
44
Dummies in Regressions:
Example 3
Now lets carry out a regression in the Cross_Section workfile page.
Suppose we want to regress wage on exper, educ and four dummy variables
created by @expand(female,married).
Dummies in Regressions: Example 3
1. Click on the Cross_Section workfile page.
Type in the command window:
equationeq1.lswageexpereduc
@expand(female,married)
45
Dummies in Regressions:
Example 3 (contd)
In the previous example, notice that the constant was not included.
If you include a constant, then EViews will be unable to estimate the
regression and return an error message because of perfect collinearity (the
dummy variable trap).
Dummies in Regressions: Example 3
1. Type in the command window:
equationeq1.lswagecexpereduc
@expand(female,married)
46
Dummies in Regressions:
Example 3 (contd)
Lets exclude one of the dummies. You can use either one of the following
commands:
@dropfirst (drops the first dummy).
@droplast (drops the last dummy).
47