Research Guidelines Assignment using SPSS and GSS Dataset for Final Portfolio Project

Analysis of Participants, Population, Funding, and Data Collection Methods

Task:

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: 1. 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.

2. 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.

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). 
My IV: Provide information for the IV using the format below. 
IV Variable name in SPSS: 
IV Question (as asked to the respondent verbatim) 

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 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. 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) RecodingChoose 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.