Assignment 1: Research Guidelines
Complete the following assignment by filling in all pertinent areas of research. You will need to utilize SPSS and the GSS dataset specified in the class for this assignment. You should complete this assignment using the variables and topic that you have chosen for your Final Portfolio Project. You will then be able to follow this as a guide, as well as a check-point, with your instructor. It is essential that you read through all of the feedback regardless of your score. You will be required to submit:
- This word document with blanks filled and SPSS outputs inserted. Throughout the assignment you will see places where your tables, charts, and graphs can be placed.
- An SPSS output file (spv) with this assignment for credit.
You may need to go back through the document to address formatting issues that shift as you begin to input your data. Points will be deducted for sloppiness. Use a different, but legible, color font for your responses.
This assignment is to completed and submitted no later than the Sunday of Week 3 by 11:55pm ET. This assignment is worth 100 points. Save the word file as follows [your last name_SOCI332_A1] and submit it to Assignments for feedback. Label the SPV file as [your last name_SOCI332_A1output]
(A) My Purpose (research question) (10 pts)
My research question is: _______________________________________________________.
I chose this topic because ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
APA citation of an academic resource that relates to your topic:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(B) All About the GSS (10 pts) ***Reference Lesson 1 and http://gss.norc.org/faq***
1. Who are the participants? ___________________________________________________________________________
2. What population does the sample represent? ___________________________________________________________________________
3. Who is funding the research? ___________________________________________________
4. When is the data collected? __________________________________________________
5. How is the data collected? ___________________________________________________
(C) Variables (You are expected to have only one dependent variable (DV) and one independent variable (IV). (15 pts)
My IV: Provide information for the IV using the format below.
IV Variable name in SPSS: ___________________
IV Question (as asked to the respondent verbatim) __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IV Answer categories: ___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IV Level of Measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval/ratio): ___________________
My DV: Provide information for the DV using the format below.
DV variable name in SPSS: ______________________________
DV Question (as asked to the respondent verbatim)- __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DV Answer categories: _____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DV Level of Measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval/ratio): __________________________
(D) Frequency Tables (15 pts)
Run frequencies for each variable listed above. Summarize your findings in a paragraph or two below. What do the counts and valid percents tell you about each variable? Cite numbers in the frequency tables to support your conclusion. Be sure to insert your tables (copy and paste from SPSS) into this document.
[Insert SPSS frequency tables here]
(E) Graphs and Charts (10 pts)
Run the appropriate graphs/charts for each of your variables listed above. Summarize your findings briefly in a paragraph or two. Cite numbers in the graph/charts to support your conclusion. How does the visual representation help us understand the data? Include a title on each of your charts and other pertinent labels.
[Insert SPSS graphs/charts here]
(F) Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion (15 pts)
Run the measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and dispersion (variance, standard deviation) for each of your variables. Summarize your findings briefly in a paragraph or two. Which measures are appropriate for nominal, ordinal, or interval/ratio variables? What do these measures tell us about each variable?
[Insert SPSS output here]
(G) Recoding (15 pts)
Choose one of your variables to recode. If you have an interval/ratio variable, you may recode it into an ordinal variable. If you have two nominal/ordinal variables, recode the one with the most categories into fewer categories, or check with your instructor on the best option.
[Insert the following items: SPSS syntax for the recoding process; the frequency table for the original variable; and the frequency table for the recoded variable]
(H) Included SPV file (SPSS output of all syntax, tables and charts) – (10 pts)
