A business statistics professor at State College would like to develop a regression model to predict the final exam scores for students based on their current GPAs, the number of hours they studied for the exam, the number of times they were absent during the semester, and their genders. The data for these variables can be found in the Excel file final exam scores 2.xlsx.

a. Using PH_Stat, check for the presence of multicollinearity.

b. If multicollinearity is present, take the necessary steps to eliminate it.

c. Perform a general stepwise regression using α = 0.10 for the p value to enter and to remove independent variables from the regression model.

d. Identify the regression equation for the model in part c.

e. Perform a residual analysis with the model in part c to verify that the conditions for the model are met.