Communication Skills in Video Games: Do We Need to Use Matching Methods?

A recent study examined how playing the multiplayer online battle arena video game, Neo Elite Raging Denizens (NERD), affects people's communication skills. Despite the player's coarse language in the game, a detailed psychological survey indicated that NERD players have better language skills than average. This finding held even when the researchers used OLS regression and controlled for various factors that are related to language skills. This made the researchers wonder: does NERD cause people how to communicate better? The researchers knew their sample was highly unbalanced, so they thought that matching techniques may be required.

1) Examine the dataset NERD.
2) Estimate a standard OLS regression model for communication skills (Communication) based on all other variables in the NERD dataset.
3) Check the statistical significance of that regression model.
4) Check for balance between treatment and control groups.

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Exercise

Communication Skills in Video Games: Do We Need to Use Matching Methods?

Instructions