PSYC 515
SPSS WORKSHEET: INDEPENDENT GROUPS TEMPLATE
Research Scenario #1 ( -6: 20 pts content / 9 Q1
pts format): Research is inconclusive as to whether
spatial skills differ by one’s biological sex.
According some research, have better to males
spatial skills than do females; and according to
other research, females have better reading skills
than A student interested whether there males. is in
are differences when completing a word-search sex
puzzle (a puzzle which words are hidden in
vertically, horizontally, and diagonally within array of letters). Given this type of puzzle an
involves both spatial and reading skills, the researcher does not have a specific prediction. A
sample of and females volunteer participate and are given 10 minutes work on a 50-males to to
word puzzle. The number of words correctly recognized recorded for subject, and the is each
resulting data are shown the table. in
1. In this scenario, what is the predictor
(independent) variable? How many levels does it
have? What are they? 3 pts
Biological Sex
Two levels: Males and Females
2. In this scenario, what is the dependent variable?
How was it quantified? What is its scale of
measurement (nominal, ordinal, or scale)? 3 pts
Dependent Variable: Number of words
recognized in word-search puzzle
within 10 minutes.
Quantified by counting the number of
words each participant found correctly.
Scale: Ratio
3. Create a SPSS data file (remember that the IV is your “grouping variable” and will be
represented with numbers in SPSS and your DV will be data entered in a second column).
Conduct an appropriate test to assess whether the groups differ. Make sure to include any
tests for assumptions and output for confidence intervals and effect size. Copy / paste all
relevant SPSS output in the space below. Make sure it is all legible (e.g., paste as images
so you can resize them so they are all within the template and visible). 3 pts content / 3 pts
format
Males
Females
12
15
14
12
9
11
11
10
10
