Social Studies 201

Winter 2004

Computer Problem Set 1

Due:  September 29, 2004

 

This assignment asks you to use data from SSAE98 (Survey of Student Attitudes and Experiences 1998 – see the questionnaire from the Survey and the list of variables handout),  obtain some statistics from these data and make comments on the results.  When you have completed 1-5 below, hand in the printout of the SPSS output and the comments.  You may wish to copy the SPSS output file to another program such as Word for Windows, write the comments in that file, and hand in a paper copy of this. 

 

For each of the following questions, part (a) refers to what you are to do with SPSS.  For part (b) of each of these questions, write the answers and comments in pen or pencil on the printout (or in a Word for Windows file).

 

1.      (a) Obtain frequency distributions for each of the variables PRIORITY (question 13), RESPECT FOR GOVERNMENT, RESPECT FOR POLITICIANS (question 17), and ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE (question 46) by using Analyze – Descriptive Statistics  – Frequencies.  (b)  In a sentence or two, describe the frequency distribution for each variable, commenting on any differences in views for the two parts of question 17.

 

2.       (a) For each of the six multiculturalism variables in the table at the top of the third page in Report on the Survey of Student Attitudes and Experiences (variables M1-M6), obtain a frequency distribution and histogram.  (b) Write a paragraph comparing the distributions of these variables.  How were the percentages in the table on the third page of the Report obtained from the SPSS output? 

 

3.      (a) Obtain stem-and-leaf displays for hours spent working at a job or jobs, that is, JOBHOURS (as dependent variable), by SEX (factor list) by using Analyze – Descriptive Statistics  – Explore for these variables.  Also, obtain the histograms of JOBHOURS for males and females by clicking on Plots, then check Histogram and Continue, prior to clicking OK.  (Ignore or delete the boxplot on the output).  (b) Using the histograms or the stem-and-leaf displays, write a paragraph comparing the distributions of job hours by sex of respondent.  Use the stem-and-leaf displays to determine the median and the mode of hours worked at jobs for each sex.

 

4.      (a) For variables PM1, PM3, and PM5 (problems of multiculturalism, question 32), obtain frequency distributions, histograms and the following statistics: mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and quartiles.  (b) Using the data in the output, calculate the interquartile range for each variable.  Using these data, write a short note on how students evaluate these potential problems with multiculturalism

 

5.      (a) Obtain all the statistics for the five opinion variables, taxes on big corporations should be increased (V5) to more dollars for health care (V9), the last five variables of question 15, using Analyze – Descriptive Statistics – Descriptives.   (b)  Using the statistics you obtain, write a short note comparing the responses.  Do responses to the last two questions on health care appear consistent with each other?