interpret-results

Interpret Regression Results

Write academic prose interpreting estimation output, suitable for pasting into index.qmd.

Arguments

• $ARGUMENTS — regression output (pasted directly), or a notebook cell reference (e.g., "notebook-02#tbl-main-regression")

Steps

1. Parse the regression output:

• If a notebook cell reference is provided, read that notebook and extract the output from the specified cell
• If output is pasted directly, parse the coefficients, standard errors, significance levels, and fit statistics

1. Identify key elements:

• Dependent variable
• Key independent variable(s) of interest (vs. controls)
• Significance levels and confidence intervals
• R-squared, N, F-statistic
• Fixed effects or clustering used

1. Draft 1–3 paragraphs of academic prose covering:

• Statistical significance: Which coefficients are significant at which levels
• Direction and magnitude: Sign and size of key coefficients, in interpretable units
• Economic significance: What the coefficient means in practical terms (e.g., "a one standard deviation increase in X is associated with a Y% change in the outcome")
• Comparison across specifications: If multiple columns, note how results change with additional controls or FE
• Robustness: Note whether results are stable across specifications

1. Use appropriate academic hedging language:

• "The results suggest..." / "We find evidence consistent with..."
• "The coefficient is statistically significant at the 5% level"
• "The point estimate implies that..."
• Avoid causal language unless the identification strategy supports it

1. Format the output for index.qmd:

• Use Quarto cross-references where appropriate (e.g., "as shown in @tbl-main-regression")
• Include parenthetical references to table columns (e.g., "Column (3)")
• Note: use plain prose for cross-references to embedded content to avoid Quarto crossref warnings

1. Present the draft to the user for review. Do not insert into index.qmd without approval.

Error handling

• If the output format is not recognized, ask the user to clarify which values are coefficients, SEs, and significance indicators.