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Overview

TO ACCESS THE BOOK

https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/home/dashboard

Password Snow@2018

Part 1

Introduction

The textbook offers a set of problems to complete to help you apply your understanding of the topics presented this week. Please review the chapter readings and complete the Smart Alex’s tasks in a Word document to be submitted below. The answers to the problems are provided on the Sage website, along with detailed explanations (See the end of the section in Smart Alex’s Tasks for a link to the website).

Use this activity to practice applying what you have learned in the readings and resources.

Activity Instructions

Complete “Smart Alex’s” tasks 1, 2, and 3 from Chapter 1.

Task 1: What are (broadly speaking) the five stages of the research process?

Task 2: What is the fundamental difference between experimental and correlational research?

Task 3: What is the level of measurement of the following variables?

The number of downloads of different bands’ songs on iTunes
The names of the bands that were downloaded
Their positions in the download chart
The money earned by the bands from the downloads
The weight of drugs bought by the bands with their royalties
The type of drugs bought by the bands with their royalties
The phone numbers that the bands obtained because of their fame
The gender of the people giving the bands their phone numbers
The instruments played by the band members
The time they had spent learning to play their instruments

Tips for Success

Choose a suitable note-taking method: Use a note-taking style that suits you, such as Word, online journaling, note-taking software, or bookmarking important websites.
Study collaboratively: Form virtual study groups or work with fellow students to discuss and interpret concepts, enhancing your understanding.

Writing and Submission Requirements

Answer all questions in a Word document.
Copy and paste the questions and then provide your answer.
Grading will be based on correct responses, format, and timely submission.

Part 2

Introduction

The reflection process is extremely important in this course because it gives you time to apply and internalize what you are learning. Statistics can be thought of as a grind, but if you can recognize its importance within your field and how you can apply the various models and processes, it can be rewarding in your future.

Activity Instructions

In this first assignment, write a one-page reflection on not only what you know about statistics but what you have learned this week and what you are particularly interested in learning going forward. Conclude by expressing your concerns, issues, questions, or feedback.

Tips for Success

Recognize that a reflection paper is about expressing your thoughts and emotions on a specific experience or idea.
Give yourself enough time to reflect and gather your thoughts; avoid rushing the process.

Writing and Submission Requirements

Length: 1-2 pages
Your paper should have a distinct introduction, reflection section, and questions/concerns section.
APA format
Any references or citations should be in APA format

Part 3

Introduction

This week, we will discuss essential concepts such as variable types, data formats, and data exploration through graphs. The purpose is to provide you with a foundational understanding of how to work with data and gain insights that can be applied in various career fields.

Initial Post Instructions

Write a post on your current understanding of the following topics and how they can be applied in your future.

IBM SPSS Statistics Environment
Variable Types and Data Formats
Exploring Data with Graphs

Include a reflection on your thoughts for the week so far. Were there any points of confusion or concerns you’d like to mention?

Writing Requirements

Length: One paragraph per topic and a reflection.
Format: No particular format is required.

Part 4

Introduction

Use this activity to practice applying what you have learned in the readings and resources.

Activity Instructions

Read the research context and then complete the practice tasks from the textbook utilizing SPSS.

Complete “Smart Alex’s” tasks 1, 2, 3, and 4 from Chapter 5.

Research Context: In a contemporary university setting, the study of social dynamics and behaviors among students and lecturers has become a focal area of research. This exploration is not merely confined to the academic interactions but extends to various aspects of daily life, including friendships, recreational habits, financial situations, and psychological traits.

Understanding these characteristics is vital as it allows educational institutions to recognize the underlying patterns that influence both the learning environment and personal well-being. For example, analyzing the social connectivity can shed light on collaboration or isolation trends within the community. Similarly, understanding alcohol consumption might reveal stress coping mechanisms or societal pressures that could have broader implications on health.

The financial insights might lead to the development of targeted support systems, ensuring that economic barriers don't hinder educational pursuits. Finally, assessing psychological traits like neuroticism can provide a deeper understanding of mental health issues prevalent in the academic community, leading to better support and counseling services.

In essence, this multifaceted research contributes to a more comprehensive and empathetic approach to education, fostering a more inclusive and supportive academic community.

Task 1: Using the data from Chapter 4 (Table 4.1 - Lecturers and Students), plot and interpret an error bar chart showing the mean number of friends for students and lecturers.

Task 2: Using the same data, plot and interpret an error bar chart showing the mean alcohol consumption for students and lecturers.

Task 3: Using the same data, plot and interpret an error line chart showing the mean income for students and lecturers.

Task 4: Using the same data, plot and interpret an error line chart showing the mean neuroticism for students and lecturers.

In Sunday's assignment, you will use this data and information to write a report on your findings.

Tips for Success

Understand the underlying principles instead of memorizing formulas. You can always refer back to textbooks for specific formulas.
Regularly work on a variety of problems and exercises using a workbook alongside your textbook. Active engagement is crucial for learning statistics effectively.

Writing and Submission Requirements

Copy and paste the task prompts into a Word doc and then provide your data analysis and interpretation for each.
Import your SPSS output into your Word document. (See: Exporting charts and tables from SPSS into a Word Document. YouTube [Video] 3:02)
Submit your SPSS .sav file in a .zip compressed folder. (See: How to in Windows and Mac)
No PDFs.
Grading will be based on correct responses, format, showing your work, and timely submission.

Part 5

Introduction

Each week you will be asked to produce a report that presents your work from Smart Alex's Tasks. This assignment will help you in learning how to explain your research findings and results. In future courses, you will be asked to write a findings or results section of your research papers. Use this opportunity to learn the vocabulary, phrasing, and process.

You are not asked to write an exhaustive report due to the fact that you are not being given very much information. Focus on the process of producing a document that is organized and presents each section clearly, cohesively, and concisely for the reader to understand.

Below is a link to a document that goes over a research paper's Results/Findings section. Use this as a general guide.

Results Section for Research Papers [PDF]

Activity Instructions

Using the outline below, write a report showcasing your findings from the Smart Alex's Tasks. This is not an exhaustive submission but rather presents the findings from a simple dataset(s) as a practice for upcoming coursework you will have in research design. Your work should be organized, comprehensive, cohesive, and concise and reflect the process you endured as you completed this assignment.

Introduction
1. Start by introducing the scenario(s) and research question(s) presented in the Smart Alex's tasks. This should include the research question and a brief explanation of why it is important. Since you might not have much context, you can hypothesize the importance for the purpose of practice.
Study Design and Variables
1. Describe the selection and categorization of participants, as well as the definition and measurement of variables. This should include the dependent variable (the outcome you're measuring) and the independent variables (the factors you're manipulating or observing).
Hypotheses
1. Clearly state the null and alternative hypotheses for the study. The null hypothesis typically posits that there's no effect or relationship between the variables, while the alternative hypothesis suggests there is.
Methodology
1. This section explains how the data was collected and analyzed. Because the textbook does not mention this, answer it hypothetically with the questions, "How would YOU have collected the data? And how DID you analyze it?"
Results
1. Present the results of your analysis, including any statistical significance found and how this relates to the hypotheses. Use tables and figures to help summarize and visualize the results.
Conclusion
1. Interpret the results in the context of the research question. This should include a discussion of whether the results support the hypotheses and any potential implications of the findings.
References
1. Include any references cited in the paper.
SPSS Syntax
1. Include the syntax for performing the analyses in SPSS.

Tips for Success

Clarity and Precision: The report should clearly present the statistical results without ambiguity. Every term, figure, and table should be explained in a way that readers, even those not deeply versed in statistics, can understand.

Comprehensive Methodology Description: The methods used to collect and analyze the data should be described in detail (in this assignment you might suggest or imagine methods used). This ensures that anyone reading the report can replicate the study if needed. It also provides context for how conclusions were drawn.

Length: 1-3 paragraphs per section.
Use references to the textbook or outside research to support your application. Include in-text citations and a references page.
Import your SPSS output into your Word document. (See: Exporting charts and tables from SPSS into a Word Document. YouTube [Video] 3:02)
Submit your SPSS .sav file in a .zip compressed folder. (See: How to in Windows and Mac)
No PDFs.
APA format
Grading will be based on adherence to the outline; including valid, clear, concise writing, a descriptive methodology and results, and a persuasive conclusion or discussion.

Part 6

Introduction

This week, we will go over Data Distribution and Bias, Variance Heterogeneity and Tests, and Independence and Normality Assessment. The purpose is to provide you with a foundational understanding of how to work with data and gain insights that can be applied in various career fields.

Initial Post Instructions

Write a post on your current understanding of the following topics and how they can be applied in your future.

Data Distribution and Bias
Variance Heterogeneity and Tests
Independence and Normality Assessment

Include a reflection on your thoughts for the week so far. Were there any points of confusion or concerns you’d like to mention?

Writing Requirements

Length: One paragraph per topic and a reflection.
Format: No particular format is required.

Part 7

Introduction

Use this activity to practice applying what you have learned in the readings and resources.

Activity Instructions

Complete “Smart Alex’s” tasks 2, 3, and 4 from Chapter 6

Task 2: The file SPSSExam.sav (Link in textbook) contains data on students’ performance on an SPSS exam. Four variables were measured: exam (first-year SPSS exam scores as a percentage), computer (measure of computer literacy in percent), lecture (percentage of SPSS lectures attended) and numeracy (a measure of numerical ability out of 15). There is a variable called uni indicating whether the student attended Sussex University (where I work) or Duncetown University. Compute and interpret descriptive statistics for exam, computer, lecture and numeracy for the sample as a whole.

Task 3: Calculate and interpret the z-scores for skewness for all variables.

Task 4: Calculate and interpret the z-scores for kurtosis for all variables.

Tips for Success

Recognize recurring themes: Identify essential skills that frequently appear in statistics and request your instructor's emphasis on these key areas.

Think holistically: Adopt a Gestalt Psychologist approach, seeing statistics as a whole rather than isolated parts.

Writing and Submission Requirements

Copy and paste the task prompts into a Word doc and then provide your data analysis and 1-2 sentence interpretation for each.
Import your SPSS output into your Word document. (See: Exporting charts and tables from SPSS into a Word Document. YouTube [Video] 3:02)
Submit your SPSS .sav file in a .zip compressed folder. (See: How to in Windows and Mac)
No PDFs.
Grading will be based on correct responses, format, showing your work, and timely submission.

Part 8

Introduction

Below is a link to a document that goes over a research paper's Results/Findings section. Use this as a general guide.

Results Section for Research Papers [PDF]

Activity Instructions

Introduction
1. Start by introducing the scenario(s) and research question(s) presented in the Smart Alex's tasks. This should include the research question and a brief explanation of why it is important. Since you might not have much context, you can hypothesize the importance for the purpose of practice.
Study Design and Variables
1. Describe the selection and categorization of participants, as well as the definition and measurement of variables. This should include the dependent variable (the outcome you're measuring) and the independent variables (the factors you're manipulating or observing).
Hypotheses
1. Clearly state the null and alternative hypotheses for the study. The null hypothesis typically posits that there's no effect or relationship between the variables, while the alternative hypothesis suggests there is.
Methodology
1. This section explains how the data was collected and analyzed. Because the textbook does not mention this, answer it hypothetically with the questions, "How would YOU have collected the data? And how DID you analyze it?"
Results
1. Present the results of your analysis, including any statistical significance found and how this relates to the hypotheses. Use tables and figures to help summarize and visualize the results.
Conclusion
1. Interpret the results in the context of the research question. This should include a discussion of whether the results support the hypotheses and any potential implications of the findings.
References
1. Include any references cited in the paper.
SPSS Syntax
1. Include the syntax for performing the analyses in SPSS.

Tips for Success

Objective Presentation of Results: The findings should be presented without bias, focusing solely on what the data reveals. Avoid infusing personal opinions or speculative interpretations. Use tables, charts, and graphs to effectively visualize data.

Discussion of Statistical Significance: Any statistical tests conducted should be accompanied by significance levels (e.g., p--values) and a discussion of what these values mean in the context of the study.

Writing and Submission Requirements

Length: 1-3 paragraphs per section.
Use references to the textbook or outside research to support your application. Include in-text citations and a references page.
Import your SPSS output into your Word document. (See: Exporting charts and tables from SPSS into a Word Document. YouTube [Video] 3:02)
Submit your SPSS .sav file in a .zip compressed folder. (See: How to in Windows and Mac)
No PDFs.
APA format
Grading will be based on adherence to the outline; including valid, clear, concise writing, a descriptive methodology and results, and a persuasive conclusion or discussion.