Durbin Watson Test for Autocorrelation Quiz

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| Attempts: 11 | Questions: 15 | Updated: Apr 21, 2026
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1. Autocorrelation refers to the correlation of a variable with its own lagged values. Which of the following best describes positive autocorrelation?

Explanation

Positive autocorrelation indicates that when a variable has a positive value, it is likely to be followed by another positive value in subsequent time periods. This means that positive residuals will cluster together, leading to a pattern where high values are followed by high values, rather than alternating randomly.

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About This Quiz
Durbin Watson Test For Autocorrelation Quiz - Quiz

This quiz evaluates your understanding of autocorrelation in time series analysis and the Durbin Watson Test for Autocorrelation Quiz methodology. Learn to detect serial correlation in regression residuals, interpret DW statistics, and apply diagnostic techniques essential for econometric modeling. Ideal for students mastering advanced regression diagnostics.

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2. The Durbin-Watson statistic is primarily used to detect what type of autocorrelation?

Explanation

The Durbin-Watson statistic specifically tests for first-order autocorrelation, which refers to the correlation of a variable with its immediate lagged values. It is not designed to detect higher-order or seasonal autocorrelation, making it a focused tool for identifying this particular type of autocorrelation in regression analysis.

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3. The Durbin-Watson statistic ranges from ____ to ____.

Explanation

The Durbin-Watson statistic is a measure used to detect autocorrelation in the residuals of regression analysis. It ranges from 0 to 4, where a value of 2 indicates no autocorrelation, values less than 2 suggest positive autocorrelation, and values greater than 2 indicate negative autocorrelation.

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4. What does a Durbin-Watson statistic of approximately 2 indicate about residuals?

Explanation

A Durbin-Watson statistic close to 2 suggests that there is no autocorrelation present in the residuals of a regression analysis. This indicates that the residuals are independent of each other, meaning past errors do not influence future errors, which is a desirable property for valid statistical inference.

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5. If DW < 2, what can you conclude about the regression residuals?

Explanation

When the Durbin-Watson (DW) statistic is less than 2, it suggests that there is a positive correlation between the residuals of the regression model. This indicates that positive autocorrelation is likely present, meaning that positive errors tend to follow positive errors and negative errors tend to follow negative errors, violating the assumption of independence in residuals.

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6. Match each Durbin-Watson result with its interpretation:

Explanation

The Durbin-Watson statistic is a test for autocorrelation in regression residuals. A value around 2 indicates no autocorrelation, while values less than 2 suggest positive autocorrelation, indicating that residuals are positively correlated. Conversely, values greater than 2 indicate negative autocorrelation, and a value near 0 signifies strong positive autocorrelation, where residuals are highly correlated.

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7. Which assumption of ordinary least squares regression is violated when autocorrelation is present?

Explanation

Autocorrelation refers to the correlation of a variable with itself over successive time intervals. When autocorrelation is present in a regression model, it indicates that the residuals (errors) are not independent of each other, violating the assumption that errors should be uncorrelated. This can lead to inefficient estimates and misleading statistical inferences.

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8. Autocorrelation in regression residuals typically leads to which of the following problems?

Explanation

Autocorrelation in regression residuals indicates that the residuals are correlated over time, which violates the assumption of independence. This leads to inefficient standard error estimates, making them unreliable, and can invalidate hypothesis tests, as the test statistics may not follow the expected distributions, leading to incorrect conclusions about the coefficients.

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9. The Durbin-Watson test assumes the regression model includes a ____ term.

Explanation

The Durbin-Watson test is used to detect autocorrelation in the residuals of a regression analysis. It assumes that the regression model includes a constant intercept term, as this allows for a baseline level in the model, enabling a more accurate assessment of the residuals' independence and the overall fit of the model.

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10. Which of the following is a limitation of the Durbin-Watson statistic?

Explanation

The Durbin-Watson statistic is primarily designed to detect first-order autocorrelation in residuals. However, it is not effective in identifying higher-order autocorrelation, which can lead to misleading conclusions about the presence of autocorrelation in time series data. This limitation restricts its applicability in more complex models where higher-order correlations may exist.

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11. True or False: A Durbin-Watson statistic of 1.5 indicates no autocorrelation problem.

Explanation

A Durbin-Watson statistic of 1.5 suggests the presence of positive autocorrelation in the residuals of a regression analysis. Values close to 2 indicate no autocorrelation, while values significantly below 2 signal potential issues. Therefore, a statistic of 1.5 does not confirm the absence of autocorrelation.

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12. When autocorrelation is detected using the Durbin-Watson test, which remedial approach is most common?

Explanation

When autocorrelation is present, it violates the assumptions of ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, leading to inefficient estimates. Using generalized least squares (GLS) adjusts for this correlation, improving the efficiency of estimates. Additionally, adding lagged variables can help account for the temporal dependence in the data, addressing the autocorrelation issue effectively.

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13. The Breusch-Godfrey test is often preferred to the Durbin-Watson test because it can detect ____ autocorrelation.

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14. In time series regression, positive autocorrelation typically results in which of the following?

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15. True or False: The Durbin-Watson statistic is symmetric around 2, meaning DW = 1 and DW = 3 have equal interpretation strength.

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Autocorrelation refers to the correlation of a variable with its own...
The Durbin-Watson statistic is primarily used to detect what type of...
The Durbin-Watson statistic ranges from ____ to ____.
What does a Durbin-Watson statistic of approximately 2 indicate about...
If DW < 2, what can you conclude about the regression residuals?
Match each Durbin-Watson result with its interpretation:
Which assumption of ordinary least squares regression is violated when...
Autocorrelation in regression residuals typically leads to which of...
The Durbin-Watson test assumes the regression model includes a ____...
Which of the following is a limitation of the Durbin-Watson statistic?
True or False: A Durbin-Watson statistic of 1.5 indicates no...
When autocorrelation is detected using the Durbin-Watson test, which...
The Breusch-Godfrey test is often preferred to the Durbin-Watson test...
In time series regression, positive autocorrelation typically results...
True or False: The Durbin-Watson statistic is symmetric around 2,...
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