Re: st: Testing interaction terms when using factor variables

[Jeffrey Pitblado <jpitblado@stata.com>]

Richard Williams is using -test- with factor variables notation and would like
to simplify the specification:

> I am looking for a shorthand notation when testing multiple interaction terms at
> once.
>
> -----------
> use "http://www.indiana.edu/~jslsoc/stata/spex_data/tenure01.dta";, clear
>
> quietly logit tenure i.female year c.year#c.year select articles prestige
> i.female#(c.year c.year#c.year c.select c.articles c.prestige)
>
> test 1.female#c.year 1.female#c.year#c.year 1.female#c.select
> 1.female#c.articles 1.female#c.prestige
>
> test 1.female#(c.year c.year#c.year c.select c.articles c.prestige)
> -----------
>
> The first test command, where I spell out each interaction separately, works
> fine. But, with the second test command, I get
>
> invalid varname
> r(198);
>
> You would think there would be some sort of shorthand way of doing this, but if
> so I can't figure out what it is.

In Stata 12, Richard can use the new -contrast- command:

    . contrast female#(c.year##c.year c.select c.articles c.prestige), overall

The -overall- option specifies that -contrast- combine the tests of the
individually specified terms into an additional "Overall" test at the end of the
Wald table.

Otherwise, Richard can use -testparm- instead of -test-.

    . testparm 1.female#(c.year c.year#c.year c.select c.articles c.prestige)

--

--Jeff Pitblado
  jpitblado@stata.com
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