VARIABLES, MEASURES, AND SPSS ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This Homework: Variables, Measures & SPSS Assignment is designed to assess your understanding of the concepts and applications covered thus far in PSYC 510: Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I. This particular module introduces more introductory concepts of research design including types of measures commonly used in the field, variables, scale of measurement, and whether variables are discrete or continuous. Definitions, applications, and importance of reliability and validity are covered, and we are introduced to the most commonly used statistical software in our field – SPSS.
INSTRUCTIONS
Be sure you have reviewed this module’s Learn section before completing this Homework: Variables, Measures & SPSS Assignment. This Homework: Variables, Measures & SPSS Assignment is worth 60 points. Each question is worth 3 points except questions #1 – 3, which are worth 4 pts. Six points are awarded for overall mechanics/structure.
• Part I contains general concepts from this module’s Learn section.
• Part II requires use of SPSS. You will have to take “snips”, screen shots and/or copy and paste from your SPSS to place answers within this file. Make sure you only insert relevant and legible images. Failure to do so may affect the mechanics / structure points for this assignment.
• Part III is the cumulative section. These may include short answer and/or use of SPSS but will review material from previous module(s).
• Directions for each subsection are provided in the top of each table (in the gray shaded areas). Answers should be placed where indicated (wherever there is “ANSWER”).
• Submit the file as a WORD document (.doc or .docx). Make sure the filename of your submission includes your full name, course and section.
o Example: HW2_JohnDoe_510B01
Make sure to check the Homework Grading Rubric before you begin this Homework: Variables, Measures & SPSS Assignment.
Part I: General Concepts
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These questions are based on the concepts covered in this module’s assigned readings and presentations.
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Use complete sentences to answer the following questions. 4 pts each = 12 pts
1. Identify and describe a type of reliability that measures participant reliability. Why is it useful?
ANSWER:
2. How is reliability measured? What is the potential range of values? According to your required readings, what is an acceptable range to establish reliability (include negative or positive sign(s)?
ANSWER:
3. Choose one of the types of validity used by researchers to evaluate the truthfulness / genuineness of a measure. Identify the name of the validity, briefly define it, and state why it is useful.
ANSWER:
As discussed this week, a variable must be operationally defined in a particular study to clarify what the researcher will use to measure or manipulate the variable of interest. To answer the following questions, think of how a researcher may examine “happiness”.
4. Provide an operational definition of this variable (i.e. briefly describe in detail how a researcher may measure this variable) using a “behavioral” measure. ANSWER:
5. Based on your answer in the previous question, identify and justify the scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, or “scale”, which includes both interval or ratio) based on your definition.
ANSWER:
6. Provide an operational definition of this variable (i.e. briefly describe in detail how a researcher may measure this variable) using a “self-report” measure. ANSWER:
7. Based on your answer in the previous question, identify and justify the scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, or “scale”, which includes both interval or ratio) based on your definition.
ANSWER:
Many files will be used in this course, and being able to identify the extension will greatly help you in determining what the file is used for and which program you should use to open the file. Match the following files with the expected program based on the information provided.
A. SPSS Data File B. SPSS Output File C. Word Document
8. Homework1.sav ANSWER:
9. Homework1.spv
ANSWER:
10. Homework1.doc ANSWER:
Part II: SPSS Application
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These questions require the use of SPSS. Remember you must submit all of your work within this word document. You will need to take a screen shot of your data view if necessary, or copy and paste your output into the spaces below.
Create a data file and enter the following two variables. Name the variables exactly as shown and make sure to enter the value labels for the variable “Type”. (Note there are 6 rows of data).
Value labels for the Variable “Type” are:
0 = Staff; 1 = Faculty; 2 = Administration.
Type Salary
0 33
0 35
1 57
1 65
2 82
2 80
11. Paste an image (e.g., “snip”) of your DATA VIEW in the space below. (Only the two columns with column titles and the 6 rows of data need to be shown).
ANSWER: Paste Data View HERE:
12. Paste an image (e.g., “snip”) of your VARIABLE VIEW in the space below. It must include all of the columns from “Name” to “Measure” (Role is optional).
ANSWER: Paste Variable View HERE:
13. As shown in this module’s presentation and described below, run descriptive statistics:
Analyze Descriptive Statistics Explore
Salary Dependent List
Type Factor List
Select “OK”
Once the output is shown, select the “Boxplot” to copy and paste in the box provided.
ANSWER: Paste Data View Screen-shot HERE:
Part III: Cumulative
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These questions can be related to anything covered thus far in the course.
Design a descriptive study to measure political party affiliation to answer the following questions.
14. How would you operationally define political party affiliation? Be very specific and detailed in the answer options and/or how the data would be collected.
ANSWER:
15. For the variable you listed above, identify its scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, or scale). Justify your answer. ANSWER:
16. What type of descriptive research method (observational, case study, or survey) would be best based on your operational definition? Provide your rationale.
ANSWER:
17. How could you assess the predictive validity of your measure? ANSWER:
________________________________________Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module 2. Remember to name file appropriately.
Done!
