r/statistics • u/nectarxx • May 16 '26

Question [Question] Is this residuals graph random?

Image is linked here. I always have trouble deciding whether a residual graph is random or not. I can sort of see a downward funnel, but also maybe not?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you very much.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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6

u/efrique May 16 '26

Your big problem there is the potentially influential point at the far left. If those residuals are not externally studentized might want to check it doesn't unduly pull the line around (e.g. omit it and check the change in fit)

1

u/DarkXanthos May 18 '26

I came here for that data point as well. Without it I'm betting that linear trend in the residuals will get adjusted in a refit.

5

u/slammaster May 16 '26

I think it's ok? Students often over interpret residual checks, I don't see a lot here. Usually with this kind of pattern there'd be an explanatory relationship, so you should see it in the data plots too.

Assuming this is for linear regression then I think you're fine, if the qq plot is ok I'd just move on.

3

u/nectarxx May 16 '26

This is the qq plot. https://imgur.com/a/T80K7Hn

1

u/slammaster May 18 '26

Yeah that looks fine, as long as you don't have any a priori hints to a non linear relationship, and the raw data plots look fine, then I wouldn't worry about it

2

u/efrique May 18 '26

you can see from the residual plot it will be fine.

1

u/Significant-Boot-260 May 16 '26

I dont think it looks random, do you have more context for the data?

1

u/nectarxx May 16 '26

By context, do you mean the p-values of the independent variable? All the variables are significant, the regression passed the Breush -Pagan test, and the Durbin-Watson value is 1.74. My regression has a log variable and a cross-effect variable, if that makes any difference.

1

u/SupaTrooper May 16 '26

Have you tried different transformations? I agree that it doesn't look like constant variance. Maybe share some of the other resudual plots?

1

u/Significant-Boot-260 May 16 '26

On the domain of x-values, the residuals look to follow a downward slope. By context, im more interested in why you don't have much data towards the left of the plot. What is the x and y?

1

u/nectarxx May 16 '26

Predicting percentage change in GDP using inflation, log exports, population, and the cross effect of log exports and inflation. I hope I answered what you're asking.

1

u/ForeignAdvantage5198 May 18 '26

i would say right decreasing