Pridemore and Freilich XXXXXXXXXXanalyzed homicide victimization rates by state for white non-Hispanics. The results of one of their regression models is summarized in Table 11.27, where RD is a...

Pridemore and Freilich (2006) analyzed homicide victimization rates by state for white non-Hispanics. The results of one of their regression models is summarized in Table 11.27, where RD is a measure of resource deprivation, PS is a measure

of population structure, YOUNG is a measure of youth, DIV is a divorce rate, UN is an unemployment rate, and SOUTH is a dummy variable that is 1 for a collection of 16 southern states. The authors state

White non-Hispanic rates remained significantly higher in the south when controlling for the covariates.

(a) Explain how the authors reached this conclusion from this regression.

(b) What assumptions should be checked before you accept this conclusion as valid?

(c) The table shows the standardized regression coefficients (stand. coef.). Is SOUTH the most important variable in predicting victimization rates? If not, what is?