Assignment: Variables, Measurement, And SPSS

/in /by

Quantitative research consists of testing and understanding relationships between variables. Researchers construct these variables as measurable 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.

Readings and software

 

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., Leon-Guerrero, A., & Davis, G. (2020). Social statistics for a diverse society (9th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Chapter 1, “The What and the Why of Statistics” (pp. 1–25)

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”

Dietz, T., & Kalof, L. (2009). Introduction to social statistics: The logic of statistical reasoning. West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Introduction to Social Statistics: The Logic of Statistical Reasoning, 1st Edition by Dietz, T.; Kalof, L. Copyright 2009 by John Wiley & Sons – Books. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons – Books via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Chapter 1, “An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis” (pp. 1–31)     

Dietz, T., & Kalof, L. (2009). Introduction to social statistics: The logic of statistical reasoning. West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Introduction to Social Statistics: The Logic of Statistical Reasoning, 1st Edition by Dietz, T.; Kalof, L. Copyright 2009 by John Wiley & Sons – Books. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons – Books via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Chapter 2, “Some Basic Concepts” (pp. 33–63)

 

Walden University Library. (n.d.). Course Guide and Assignment Help for RSCH 8210. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/rsch8210
For help with this week’s research, see this Course Guide and related weekly assignment resources.

Use this SPSS Resource page to guide you as you as you download, install and register your SPSS software.

 

Walden’s SPSS website: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/SPSS

SUBHEADING REQUIRED 

APA REQUIRED 

TURN IT IN REQUIRED NO MORE THAN 10 PERCENT PLAGERISM 

Assignment: Testing For Correlation And Bivariate Regression

/in /by

You had the chance earlier in the week to perform an article critique on correlation and simple linear regression and obtain peer feedback. Hopefully you are excited about the potential these tests hold; equally important is that you recognize some of their weaknesses. Now, it is once again time to put all of that good brainstorming to use and answer a social research question with the correlation and simple linear regression. As you begin the Assignment, be sure and pay close attention to the assumptions of the test. Specifically, make sure that your variables are metric level variables that can easily be interpreted in these tests.

For this Assignment, you will examine correlation and bivariate regression testing.

To prepare for this Assignment:

  • Review this week’s Learning Resources and media program related to regression and correlation.
  • Using the SPSS software, open the Afrobarometer dataset or the High School Longitudinal Study dataset (whichever you choose) found in the Learning Resources for this week.
  • Based on the dataset you chose, construct a research question that can be answered with a Pearson correlation and bivariate regression.
  • Once you perform your correlation and bivariate regression analysis, review Chapter 11 of the Wagner text to understand how to copy and paste your output into your Word document.

For this Assignment:

Write a 2- to 3-paragraph analysis of your correlation and bivariate regression results for each research question. 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. Do not forget to evaluate if the correlation and bivariate regression assumptions are met and report the effect size. In your analysis, display the data for the output. Based on your results, provide an explanation of what the implications of social change might be.

Use proper APA format, citations, and referencing for your analysis, research question, and display of output.

 

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., Leon-Guerrero, A., & Davis, G. (2020). Social statistics for a diverse society (9th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Chapter 12, “Regression and Correlation” (pp. 401-457)

Wagner, III, W. E. (2020). Using IBM® SPSS® statistics for research methods and social science statistics (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Chapter 8, “Correlation and Regression Analysis”

Walden University Library. (n.d.). Course Guide and Assignment Help for RSCH 8210. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/rsch8210
For help with this week’s research, see this Course Guide and related weekly assignment resources.

Magnusson, K. (n.d.). Welcome to Kristoffer Magnusson’s blog about R, Statistics, Psychology, Open Science, Data Visualization [blog]. Retrieved from http://rpsychologist.com/index.html
As you review this web blog, select New d3.js visualization: Interpreting Correlations link, once you select the link, follow the instructions to view the interactive for interpreting correlations. This interactive will help you to visualize and understand correlations between two variables.
Note: This is Kristoffer Magnusson’s personal blog and his views may not necessarily reflect the views of Walden University faculty.

Document: Walden University: Research Design Alignment Table

Datasets

Your instructor will post the datasets for the course in the Doc Sharing section and in an Announcement. Your instructor may also recommend using a different dataset from the ones provided here.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016b). Correlation and bivariate regression [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note:  The approximate length of this media piece is 9 minutes.

In this media program, Dr. Matt Jones demonstrates correlation and bivariate regression using the SPSS software.

Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Optional Resources

Correlation
Klingenberg, B. (2016). Correlation game. Retrieved from https://istats.shinyapps.io/guesscorr/
Use the following app/weblink for an interactive visual display of correlation slopes.

Regression
Klingenberg, B. (2016). Explore linear regression. Retrieved from https://istats.shinyapps.io/ExploreLinReg/
Use the following app/weblink for an interactive visual display of regression slopes.

APA REQUIRED 

TURN IT IN REQUIRED 

MUST RECIEVE A PASSING GRADE  OF A (b 80-89 PERCENT )

Forensics Disaster At The Daisys Fire Crime Scene

/in /by
 ***Need completed within hrs***
On June 12, 2017, neighbors reported hearing arguing and banging at the house next door. The house in question was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Daisy. This was the second time in the past month that the neighbors had heard a dispute. They were about to call the police department when the noises ceased. A week later, police and fire trucks were called to the Daisys’ house by the same neighbors, who saw flames coming from the kitchen window. Firefighters arrived at the scene and quickly put out the fire. Mrs. Daisy was found in the kitchen with several gunshot wounds to the chest. The garage near the house was not damaged. Mr. Daisy was found in the garage, leaning against a wall with a bullet wound in his right temple and a gun in his right hand. The bodies were taken to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy and processing. An arson investigation team from the state fire marshall’s office was called to determine the cause of the fire.
 Questions:
1. The medical examiner performs a visual examination of Mr. Daisy’s body and finds a bullet entrance wound. There appears to be a ring of deposited smoke and lead as a halo around the bullet hole. What would be the approximate distance from which the bullet was shot?
2. The medical examiner performs a visual examination of Mrs. Daisy’s body and finds a bullet entrance wound. There is a heavy concentration of lead and smoke around the hole and a stellate tear pattern around the hole. What would be the approximate distance from which the bullet was shot?
3. The medical examiner swabs an area near the entrance wound. She is trying to determine if there is gunshot residue (GSR) near each of the wounds. List three elements that might be present in GSR. What are the chemical symbols for these elements? How many protons, neutrons, and electrons do they have?
4. The medical examiner sends the swab to the inorganic analysis laboratory section. What analytical techniques might they use to simultaneously determine the three elements found in the previous question?
5. The medical examiner finds an unknown metal object in Mrs. Daisy’s pocket. She requests that the inorganic analysis laboratory section perform a non-destructive test on the metal to determine the elemental composition. Which analytical technique might the lab choose?
6. There are several cans of kerosene in the garage. Based on the flash point, how do you think this would compare to gasoline for use as an accelerant? Which has the higher flashpoint?
7. Based on the composition of gasoline and kerosene, why would gasoline be easier to ignite?
8. An hourglass pattern was found on one wall of the kitchen. What might this indicate about the cause of the fire?
9. Residue is found in the kitchen that needs to be taken back to the lab for analysis. How should the evidence be transported?
10. Residue is taken from near the location in the kitchen where the hourglass pattern was found. Prior to testing, the sample undergoes solid-phase micro extraction. Why is this technique needed prior to testing?
11. Gas chromatography is used to analyze the sample. Is this considered a qualitative or quantitative technique? Support your answer with an example.
12. Results of the gas chromatograph indicate that a combination of accelerants may have been used. What technique might assist in determining the accelerants used?
13. Based on your answers above, develop a working hypothesis regarding what happened at the Daisys’. Be sure to discuss how the forensic evidence supports your hypothesis.

CRJS 2002: Juvenile Delinquency And Justice

/in /by

STUDENT REPLIES

STUDENT #1 Ashley Adams

Juvenile violent arrest rates increased partly thanks to the expansion of the juvenile population. Research also indicates that violent arrest rates can be increasing thanks to gang activity and therefore the availability of firearms. Also, Juveniles are surrounded by some who are young adults that lived the lifetime of crime and its constantly passed down generation after generation. These trends still go down because we as parents do not break the habits. Delinquent acts, especially extreme violence, committed by juveniles attract much societal attention and sometimes have an infinite impact. Extreme violence ends up in large societal costs, directly related to involvement of the judicature. I have got researched numerous of crimes in Houston Texas we’ve got plenty of juveniles in gang related, Firearms, and Violence. It starts with surrounding our youngsters with what we wish their future to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT REPLY

 

STUDENT #2 Pamela Washington

 

Juvenile violence still seems to persist because most delinquent acts do not become known to the police. Arrest data sometimes provide misleading information about trends in delinquency, and most juvenile index crimes are not reported. If someone is not being punished for their crimes, of course crime rate will increase. In a large survey of Incarcerated Juveniles, respondents were asked to estimate the likelihood that they would be arrested again should they re-offend. A sizable percent (39 percent) believed they would not be arrested. If offenders believe that the overall odds of apprehension are low, then this fact may help their attraction to delinquency. The juveniles in the United States are sentenced differ than other countries. Juveniles get a lot of leeway for crimes that adults could get several years for.

 

 

References:

 

Agnew, R., & Brenzine, T. (2017). Juvenile delinquency: Causes and control (6th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press

 

Chapter 2,”How is Delinquency Measured?”(pp.25-44) (PDF)