Description

Lab 1: Using SPSS, Graphing, Basic Descriptive Statistics, z-scores

TURN IN:

1. A word document containing answers to the questions below.  Your answers must be numbered and written up in complete sentences.  Any tables and or figures that you include must be made yourself and properly formatted according to the document on formatting tables and graphs posted on Blackboard.  Simply copying and pasting SPSS output will not suffice.   ~ 100 points

Part I: Entering and analyzing a small data set (30 points)

Radial Growth (RGR) of Lichen R. geographicum in 17 Successive 3-month periods in North Whales in Relation to Eight climatic variables

1.  Enter the data into SPSS:

Give each of the variables a label and set the type of variable in the variable view window.  Set the decimal places to the correct place.  For the season variable create labels such that 1 = spring, 2 = summer, 3 = fall, and 4 = winter.  (Hint: You should be able to copy and paste columns of data into SPSS, remember to exclude the variable names when copying.)

2.      Create a variable that indicates which observations fall above the mean RGR and which ones fall below it.  Do the same for Rainfall.  Be sure to give your new variables names, labels, value labels, and set the level of measurement.  (10 pts)

(Hint: In SPSS use Transform à Recode into Different Variables). 

3.  Use the data to answer the following questions:

a.  What are the counts and percent of the categorical variables? (5 pts)

b.   Based on Season and the new rainfall variable during what season does it rain more? 

      Explain the basis for your choice (3 pts).

c.  Create a bar graph which depicts RGR by season.  Add a title to the graph, copy the

     graph and paste it into the document  (5 pts).  There are a few ways you can answer

     this question.  You only need to include 1 figure. 

d. Create a histogram of RGR overall and another histogram paneled by the new rainfall variable.  Add a title to the graphs, copy the graphs and paste them into the document  (5 pts).

4.      Paste a screen shot of the variable view into the document. (2 pts)

Part II: Computing and comparing descriptive statistics (25 points)

Using the Calcium.sav data set available on Blackboard, answer the following questions:

5. Compute descriptive statistics for Alkaline Phosphatase, Calcium, and Inorganic Phosphorus.

a.      Compare the mean, median, and mode in words for each variable.  What does this tell us about the possible skew of the data? (5pts)

b.      Create a histogram for calcium paneled in rows by gender and a boxplot for Alkaline Phosphatase by gender. Edit each graph to have an appropriate title and labels, paste the graphs into this document. (5pts)

6.      Compare characteristics between Males and females in the Calcium data set and fill in the frequency table below. For continuous variables put the mean and standard deviation. For categorical put the percent in each category. Hint: Use crosstabs for categorical variables and compare means for continuous variables. Then write a paragraph describing the differences between the men and women in this sample based on your analysis.  (15 pts)