Overview
Objectives
To learn how to create variables, labels, and values in SPSS
To learn how to enter data in SPSS
To run basic statistics such as means and standard deviations
- To conduct a test of significance for two independent means
To interpret and write the result of a hypothesis test
- Two variables of interest in this project are Gender and Reaction Time.
We want to know if there are gender differences in reaction time. A researcher collected reaction time data for twenty-five females (25) and twenty males (20). Reaction time was measured in milliseconds using a reaction time test, which measures how quickly an individual can respond to a given stimulus, such as a light, a sound, or a touch. Reaction time tests are used in various settings, such as sports, medicine, gaming, and psychology, to assess the speed and accuracy of one’s reactions. Reaction time tests can also help identify potential health issues or cognitive impairments that may affect one’s ability to react quickly.
- Different reaction time tests exist, depending on the stimulus and the response required.
- Here is the Data Set for the SPSS Project:
- DocumentDownload Document
Assignment
Follow the instructions below and submit your project in Canvas.
NOTE: Watch the video on using SPSS for Data Entry and Analysis found in Module 1. A sample written report is found in Module 7. Make sure you use the same format for your results.
GETTING STARTED
Make sure you have SPSS on your computer, or come to the campus to room 260 of the psychology building to use SPSS. Alternatively, you can access SPSS virtually: Go to Https:mydesktop.pvamu.edu and load SPSS (You must authenticate your login credentials via the Microsoft Authentication App). For help regarding the virtual desktop, here is the link: Student IT Restoration - ITS (pvamu.edu). You can also get a free IBM trial for 30 days. Here is the link: SPSS Software | IBMLinks to an external site.
Name VARIABLES and Enter Data
There are two variables in this project. In SPSS, click “Variable View,” name the variables of gender and reaction time, and provide labels for these variables. Provide values for the categorical variable. Code gender in SPSSusing the values below:
GENDER, 1 = Female, and 0 = Male
Reaction time is not a categorical variable. Thus, values are not necessary in the Variable View
Note: Once your variables have been created in Variable View, Click “Data View” for data entry (All of these are already completed).
Analysis
A. Descriptive Statistics (Means and Standard Deviations)
B. Inferential Statistics (tests of significance and confidence intervals for the actual population mean difference)
Important: To obtain SPSS output for descriptive and inferential statistics, Go to “Analyze, Compare Means, and Select the t-test for Independent Samples. By default, SPSS provides results for a and b.
C. Provide a bar graph showing the means by group or a boxplot showing male and female boxplots.
Instructions for Obtaining a Box Plot
1. In SPSS, click on Graphs, then Legacy Dialogs.
2. Click on Boxplot.
3. Click on Simple.
- 4. Click Define.
5. Move Reaction Time to Variable.
6. Move Gender to Category Axis.
7. Click on OK.
Copy and paste your chart to your Word document with a Figure number and descriptive title.
Note: If you are uncomfortable using SPSS, here is the data set in a Word document
Actions. You can use this software, and here is the link:
https://jasp-stats.org/download/
Interpretation and Report
The written report should have between 3 – 5 paragraphs and be between one and a half to two pages long with a Table and Figure (Chart) appropriately labeled. The font size is 12 inch, Times New Roman, double-spaced. See below the content of the report:
Brief Introduction
Research question or problem statement. The research question or problem statement must have two variables of interest: Gender and self-esteem.
- Hypothesis (Null Hypothesis): Must be presented as a testable statement (Read Chapter 9 for details).
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Means and Standard Deviations for reaction time by gender
Table and chart displaying reaction time scores by gender (references to the table and chart must be in the body of the paper)
Test of equality of variances and the result
- The test statistic and the p-value (sig)
- The significance of the test
Equal variances assumed or not assumed
Test of equality of means and the result
- The test statistics and the p-value value
The importance of the test
Confidence intervals of the population mean difference in reaction time by gender
Attach SPSS output to your project.
Note: A p-value less than alpha of .05 warrants rejection of the null hypothesis. In other words, this was an unlikely outcome, and the difference was significant. For example, to put this in context, you might present this as follows: “The t-test for independent samples revealed a significant gender mean difference in reaction time, t(23) = 2.35, p < .05, CI 95: 1.23, 2.34.”
Please review the sample written report and use it as a basis for presenting your results.
Instructions for Accessing SPSS Virtually