Task I: Frequency table
Now that you have imported GSS 2016 dataset into your SPSS and have learned how to use GSS data explorer to find out GSS variable information, you are going to create and post a frequency table of your variables. Complete the following steps:
Give your forum title a unique label specific to your study/variables. Post a brief explanation of your topic which includes a bit of information about your variables: level of measurement, answer categories (yes/no, strongly agree, disagree, etc.), as well as the survey question used to collect data for this particular variable (refer to Forum 1 discussion).Include a frequency table foreachof your variables. Since you have two variables, one DV and one IV, you need to run frequency table for BOTH of your variables. When you are done, explainyour outputs inno morethan 5 sentences for each variable. Cite numbers in the outputs to support your conclusion. When you cite %, use the % reported in "valid percent" column. This column deletes all missing values, thus is "clean."
To create a frequency table in SPSS
1. Open SPSS and open your GSS data file
2. Click Analyze
3. Click Descriptive Statistics
4. Click Frequencies
5. click open Statistics
6. Make sure that mean, median, mode, standards deviation, and variance are chosen and click "Continue"
7. Choose the variable that you want to make a frequency table of and click the arrow (this will move it into the right 'Variable' box)
8. Click OK
Task II. Describe the measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and dispersion (variance, standard deviation) for each of your variables.
Based on what you have learned in the readings and lessons this week, identify the measures for each variable and explain what they tell us. Keep in mind that the mean is more meaningful for interval/ratio variables, the median or mode for ordinal variables, and the mode for nominal variables. What do these measures summarize for us about the variable's data?
Task III. Create charts (bar chart, pie chart, or histogram depending on your variables' level of measurement)
Presenting your data in graphic form is also important when conducting quantitative research. Based on what you have learned from the reading and the weekly lesson, create a graphic representation of your data. Your choice of graphing tool is purely based on a variable's level of measurement. When you are done, explain your outputs inno morethan 5 sentences for each variable. It is OK if your explanation is similar to the frequency table interpretation, since chart is a different data presentation on the SAME variable. Cite numbers in the outputs to support your conclusion.
Basic rules:
Nominal: bar chart or pie chart
Ordinal: bar chart or pie chart
Interval/Ratio: histogram or line chart
To Create a Chart
1. Follow steps 1-4 above (without worrying about the statistics).
2. Click Charts
3. Click choice of format (depending on your variable's level of measurement)
4. Click OK
5. Continue with steps 5-6
Copy all of the frequency tables and charts by copy and pasting them into a document (PDF, MS Word) and attach to forum discussion. If your table/chart does not fit to the page, choose "copy special" and then "images." Paste images to the word document and the problem will be solved.
If you need further guidance, refer to the step-by-step screenshots attached at the end of the rubrics.
Forum Instructions:Each forum week, learners will post one initial post and three peer responses. This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials and the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world. Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week. To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week. All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required. Quotes should not be used at all, or if necessary, used sparingly. If you quote a source, quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.
For weeks when the Forum is only text based, 250+ words are required for the initial post. For weeks when the Forum includes a text answer and statistical output, 150+ words are required.