Question: Barron’s conducts an annual review of online brokers, including both brokers that can be accessed via a Web browser, as well as direct-access brokers that connect customers directly with the broker’s network server. Each broker’s offerings and performance are evaluated in six areas, using a point value of 0-5 in each category. The results are weighted to obtain an overall score and a final star rating, ranging from zero to five starts, is assigned to each broker. Trade execution, ease of use, and range of offerings are three of the areas evaluated. A point value of 5 in the trade execution area means the order entry and execution process flowed easily from one step to the next. A value of 5 in the ease of use area means that the site was easy to use and can be tailored to show what the user wants to see. A value of 5 in the range offerings area means that all of the investment transactions can be executed online. The following data show the point values for trade execution, ease of use, range of offerings, and the star rating for a sample of 10 of the online brokers that Barron’s evaluated (Barron’s, March 10, 2003).

(a) Determine the estimated regression equation that can be used to predict the start rating given the point values for execution, ease of use, and range of offerings

(b) Use the F test to determine the overall significance of the relationship. What is the conclusion at the .05 level of significance?

(c) Use the t test to determine the significance of each independent variable. What is your conclusion at the .05 level of significance?

(d)