Analyze omitted-variable bias in regression

Quick Overview

This question evaluates understanding of omitted-variable bias and heteroscedasticity in linear regression, testing competency in how omitting a relevant covariate and having non-constant error variance impact OLS point estimation and inference.

Analyze omitted-variable bias in regression

Company: Amazon

Role: Data Scientist

Category: Statistics & Math

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Onsite

Suppose the true data-generating process for building energy use is Y = β0 + β1·Temp + β2·Occupancy + ε with E[ε|Temp,Occupancy]=0 and Var(ε|Temp,Occupancy)=σ²(Temp), i.e., heteroscedastic. You mistakenly fit OLS on Y ~ Temp only. Derive the expected bias of the OLS estimator for β1 in terms of Cov(Temp,Occupancy) and Var(Temp), state the sign of the bias when hotter days are more occupied, and explain how weighted least squares or robust SEs affect estimation vs inference here. Finally, design a test to detect remaining heteroscedasticity (name the test and null) and propose a practical diagnostic you would include in a production training report.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates understanding of omitted-variable bias and heteroscedasticity in linear regression, testing competency in how omitting a relevant covariate and having non-constant error variance impact OLS point estimation and inference.

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Oct 13, 2025, 9:49 PM
mediumData ScientistOnsiteStatistics & Math
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Omitted-Variable Bias, Heteroscedasticity, and Remedies

Setup

  • True data-generating process (DGP): Y = β0 + β1·Temp + β2·Occupancy + ε
  • Assumptions: E[ε | Temp, Occupancy] = 0 and Var(ε | Temp, Occupancy) = σ²(Temp) (heteroscedasticity depending on Temp).
  • Mistake: You fit OLS on Y ~ Temp only (Occupancy omitted).

Tasks

  1. Derive the expected (asymptotic) bias of the OLS estimator of β1 when regressing Y on Temp only. Express it in terms of Cov(Temp, Occupancy) and Var(Temp).
  2. State the sign of the bias when hotter days are more occupied.
  3. Explain how weighted least squares (WLS) and heteroscedasticity-robust standard errors (robust SEs) affect estimation vs inference in this setting.
  4. Design a test to detect remaining heteroscedasticity: name the test and its null hypothesis.
  5. Propose a practical heteroscedasticity diagnostic you would include in a production training report.
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