PSCI 2702 Chapter 2

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Questions and Answers

What is the proportion of females in the example provided?

0.6231

0.4205

0.5134

0.4956 (correct)

Which benefit do percentages and proportions offer when comparing groups of different sizes?

They indicate total counts.

They are easier to calculate.

They provide absolute numbers.

They standardize distributions. (correct)

In the example, what was the absolute number of males studying business, management, and public administration?

243,405

319,935

74,640

62,229 (correct)

What is the percentage of females studying business, management, and public administration according to the example?

23.33% Signup and view all the answers

What complicates gender comparisons in the provided data?

Significant difference in total student numbers. Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone struggle to assess the relative number of majors between genders?

Owing to differences in the total number of students. Signup and view all the answers

What feature of percentages makes them easier to identify differences between groups?

Their use of a common base. Signup and view all the answers

What interaction is described between the executive director and the supervisor?

The supervisor claimed there was a staffing problem. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of clicking the SPSS icon?

To start the SPSS program Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that SPSS is ready to proceed after loading a dataset?

The IBM SPSS Statistics Processor is ready message appears Signup and view all the answers

What does the Variable View mode display in SPSS?

The variables with details about each Signup and view all the answers

Which tab should be clicked to switch from Data View to Variable View in SPSS?

Variable Signup and view all the answers

What configuration is recommended for displaying variable lists in SPSS?

Display variable names alphabetically Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a precaution to take when analyzing variables in SPSS?

Do not confuse variable names with variable labels Signup and view all the answers

What should a user do if they cannot find the GSS data file immediately?

Change the drive specification in the Open Data dialog Signup and view all the answers

What is the default mode displayed when SPSS is started?

Data View mode Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in calculating a rate?

Determine the number of possible occurrences. Signup and view all the answers

In the calculation of Canada’s crude death rate, what was the value of the numerator?

296,373 Signup and view all the answers

What is the conventional multiplier for calculating birth rates and death rates?

1,000 Signup and view all the answers

How is the homicide rate calculated for 2020 in Canada?

By dividing the actual occurrences by the total population and then multiplying by 100,000. Signup and view all the answers

What is the final step in calculating a rate?

Multiply the calculated value by a specified power of 10. Signup and view all the answers

What does a frequency distribution summarize?

The distribution of a variable's values by number of cases. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the number of actual occurrences when calculating rates?

Numerator Signup and view all the answers

When might a rate be multiplied by 100,000?

When the number of actual occurrences is extremely small relative to the population. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after selecting the variable marstat in the Frequencies dialog box?

Click the OK button to create the frequency distribution. Signup and view all the answers

Where will the frequency distribution output appear after running the Frequencies procedure?

In the SPSS Output, or Viewer, window. Signup and view all the answers

What information does the output table contain regarding the variable marstat?

The variable description and actual frequencies. Signup and view all the answers

How can you adjust the size of the SPSS Output window?

By clicking the Maximize button in the upper right corner. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when you double-click on any part of the output table?

It allows you to edit the actual output displayed. Signup and view all the answers

What does the output table's left-hand column typically represent?

The various categories of the variable. Signup and view all the answers

To locate the variable marstat in the Frequencies dialog box, what can you do?

Type 'm' to jump directly to the first variable starting with 'm'. Signup and view all the answers

What will occur if you make changes in the dialog box without saving?

All open dialog boxes will close without warning. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key components needed when constructing a frequency distribution for the given data?

Establish upper and lower real limits for each interval Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of constructing a histogram for the given scores?

To display the frequency of scores in intervals Signup and view all the answers

What should be calculated alongside the frequency distribution to provide a deeper understanding of the data?

Percentage and cumulative percentage columns Signup and view all the answers

How are the midpoints of the intervals calculated in a frequency distribution?

By averaging the upper and lower limits of each interval Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of using a frequency polygon in data analysis?

To provide a visual representation of the frequency of scores Signup and view all the answers

When summarizing the distribution of scores, which aspect is most essential to include?

Trends and patterns in the frequency of scores Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding cumulative frequency is true?

Cumulative frequency represents the total frequency up to a certain interval Signup and view all the answers

In data analysis, what does the term 'real limits' refer to?

The bounds that define the range of data intervals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Percentages vs Frequencies

Easier to read and understand
Useful for comparing groups of different sizes
Table 2.2 shows the number of male and female students in different majors
Difficult to compare because the numbers are different
Table 2.3 shows the same data but in percentage terms, making it easier to see the relative proportion of males and females in each major

Rates

Number of events occurring in a specified time period, relative to the size of the population
Formula: (Number of actual occurrences)/(Number of possible occurrences) x 100,000
E.g., homicide rate in Canada in 2020 was 1.95 per 100,000 people

Frequency Distributions

Summarizes the distribution of a variable's values
Table 2.1 is an example of a frequency distribution
Presents the number of cases in each category of the variable

SPSS Demonstration

SPSS can create frequency distributions
Steps:
- Open the data file in SPSS
- Click Analyze > Descriptive Statistics > Frequencies
- Select the variable you want to analyze
- Click OK
The output table will show the frequency distribution of the variable
The variable label is displayed at the top of the table
Each row represents a category of the variable
The frequency column shows the number of cases in each category

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Description

Test your knowledge on the differences between percentages and frequencies in data presentation. This quiz covers concepts such as frequency distributions, rates, and how to use SPSS for data analysis. Enhance your understanding of statistical methods used to compare groups and summarize variable distributions.