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Assignment: Variables, Measurement, and SPSS

Quantitative research consists of testing and understanding relationships between variables. Researchers construct these variables as measureable expressions of social phenomena. Modern statistics provides you with a host of resources to answer questions, but each statistical test has a set of assumptions regarding the measurement of the variables. It is therefore important to understand how variables are measured because their measurement will influence the type of analytic tools available to you.

SPSS is a statistical software program that allows you to enter these variables into a spreadsheet format and record the measurements from a sample. Additionally, SPSS allows you to perform statistical analysis. Before launching into your analyses, though, it is important to understand how the variables are measured. That understanding will help you interpret the SPSS output.

In this week’s Discussion, you considered topics with social change implications. For this Assignment, you will examine data to analyze independent and dependent variables, determine how they are measured, and decipher whether a social change question can be answered and the implications for such change.

To prepare for this Assignment:

· Review the Learning Resources as well as the SPSS resources found in this week’s Learning Resources.

· Review, download, and install the SPSS software on your computer using the IBM SPSS Installation and Registration document for PC or for MAC in this week’s Learning Resources.

· Using the SPSS software, open the Afrobarometer dataset or the High School Longitudinal Study dataset (whichever you choose) found in this week’s Learning Resources and then choose two variables that interest you.

For this Assignment:

Write a 1- to 2-page summary and include the following:

· Early in your Assignment, when you relate which dataset you analyzed, please include the mean of the following variables. If you are using the Afrobarometer Dataset, report the mean of Q1 (Age). If you are using the HS Long Survey Dataset, report the mean of X1SES.

· A description of what the each of the variables measure.

· A description of the unit of analysis.

· A description and explanation of the levels of measurement for each variable (i.e., nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio).

· Explain how you might conceive these variables to be used to answer a social change question. What might be the implications for social change?

Support your summary using appropriate scholarly citations and references. Use proper APA format.

REFERENCES

Wagner, III, W. E. (2020). Using IBM® SPSS® statistics for research methods and social science statistics (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

· Chapter 1, “Overview”

http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/rsch8210

https://content.waldenu.edu/wa/xx-rsch/rsch-8210-210531-210317/ibm-spss-software.html

http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/SPSS

VIDEO LINK

Statistician Promotes Social Justice and Human Rights

https://content.waldenu.edu/a941cf2c2cca2ba107946655bab013a0.html#:~:text=Walden%20University%2C%20LLC,demonstrates%20its%20use.

IBM SPSS Software

In this course you will use IBM SPSS for one or more of your assignments.

Walden is pleased to be able to offer this important resource free of charge when it is required for your program.

This page provides information about accessing, installing, and registering your free version of IBM SPSS software. Installation and registration instructions are provided for both PCs (Windows) and Macs. Instructions for updating an expired IBM SPSS software license are also included.

Do I need to download SPSS?

· Yes, if you have never used SPSS prior to this course.

· Yes, if you have an older version and would like the current version.

· No, if you already downloaded the current version of SPSS, but your license has since expired and you need to continue using it. In this case, please use the instructions below for “Updating an Expired IBM SPSS License.”

What version of SPSS do I need?

Walden is pleased to offer SPSS Statistics v.28 which is compatible with the following operating systems:

· Windows 10

· Windows 8

· Windows 7

· OS Monteray 12.0

· OS Big Sur 11.0

· OS Catalina 10.15

· OS Mojave 10.14

· OS High Sierra 10.13

Installing and Registering IBM SPSS Software

· IBM SPSS version 28 Installation and Registration (PC/Windows)

· IBM SPSS version 28 Installation and Registration (Mac)

Licensing Your IBM SPSS Software

Students may obtain the SPSS license code from this link: https://alaureatena.sharepoint.com/sites/walden-university/student-documents/spss/Pages/default.aspx

Faculty may obtain the SPSS license code from this link: https://dvi.sharepoint.com/sites/walden-faculty-spss

Updating an Expired IBM SPSS License

If you have an older version of SPSS (v.27) already installed and choose not to upgrade to v28, you may continue to use it. Just follow these instructions to update your license:

Instructions for Updating an Expired License

Support

If you have any questions about IBM SPSS or need assistance downloading IBM SPSS, please contact Walden’s Student Support Team using the information provided in the Student Support area on the left navigation bar.

IBM SPSS Statistics Version 28 License Code

Version 28 is now the required version of SPSS if you have a Walden-issued laptop. It is supported on the following Operating Systems:

· Windows 10

· Windows 8

· Windows 7

· OS Big Sur 10.17

· OS Catalina 10.15

· OS Mojave 10.14

· OS High Sierra 10.13

· OS Sierra 10.12

Copy the following code into the “Enter Codes” screen in the SPSS installation wizard – c97c92daa032c18cef95

** If you encounter an error when copying and pasting the SPSS license code, please try manually entering the code before contacting Customer Care for installation and licensing support.

This code will be valid through March 31, 2023. At that time, you must re-visit this site for an updated license code.

IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27 License Code

V.28 is the recommended version. If you choose not to upgrade, you can re-license your existing installation of v. 27.

Copy the following code into the “Enter Codes” screen in the SPSS installation wizard – c30c938e802a1504484d

** If you encounter an error when copying and pasting the SPSS license code, please try manually entering the code before contacting Customer Care for installation and licensing support.

This code will be valid through March 31, 2023. At that time, you must re-visit this site for an updated license code.