Modeling and Validating Qualitative Predictors in Multiple Linear Regression Using Neural Networks

This study aims to establish the fundamental concepts of multiple linear regression models involving qualitative predictor variables and to validate their associations using a Multilayer Feed Forward (MLFF) neural network. A simple guide is introduced to separate qualitative variables based on the number of classes, ensuring they meet the assumptions of multiple linear regression. The approach provides a basic and practical template for integrating qualitative predictors into applied linear models. Validation is carried out using the sum of square error and relative error obtained from the MLFF neural network. The low error values produced by the MLFF model highlight the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed methodology.