Frequency Tables and Charts

Task I: Frequency table

Now that you have imported GSS 2012 dataset into your SPSS and have learned how to use GSS data explorer to find out GSS variable information, you are going to create and post a frequency table of your variables.  Complete the following steps:

Give your forum title a unique label specific to your study/variables.  Post a brief explanation of your topic which includes a bit of information about your variables: level of measurement, answer categories (yes/no, strongly agree, disagree, etc.), as well as the survey question used to collect data for this particular variable (refer to Forum 1 discussion). Include a frequency table for each of your variables. If you have one DV and one IV, you need to run frequency table for BOTH of your variables. If you have one DV and 2 IVs, you need to run three frequency tables. When you are done, explain your outputs in no more than 5 sentences for each variable. Cite numbers in the outputs to support your conclusion. When you cite %, use the % reported in "valid percent" column. This column deletes all missing values, thus is "clean." 

To create a frequency table in SPSS

1.       Open SPSS and open your GSS data file

2.       Click Analyze

3.       Click Descriptive Statistics

4.       Click Frequencies

5.       click open Statistics

6.       Make sure that mean, median, mode, standards deviation, and variance are chosen and click "Continue"

7.       ​Choose the variable that you want to make a frequency table of and click the arrow (this will move it into the right 'Variable' box)

8.       Click OK

Task II. Create charts (bar chart, pie chart, or histogram depending on your variables' level of measurement)

Presenting your data in graphic form is also important when conducting quantitative research. Based on what you have learned from the reading and the weekly lesson, create a graphic representation of your data. Your choice of graphing tool is purely based on a variable's level of measurement. When you are done, explain your outputs in no more than 5 sentences for each variable. It is OK if your explanation is similar to the frequency table interpretation, since chart is a different data presentation on the SAME variable. Cite numbers in the outputs to support your conclusion.

Basic rules: 

Nominal: bar chart or pie chart

Ordinal: bar chart or pie chart

Interval/Ratio: histogram or line chart 

To Create a Chart

1.       Follow steps 1-4 above (without worrying about the statistics).

2.       Click Charts

3.       Click choice of format (depending on your variable's level of measurement)

4.       Click OK

5.       Continue with steps 5-6

Copy all of the frequency tables and charts by copy and pasting them into a document (PDF, MS Word) and attach to forum discussion. If your table/chart does not fit to the page, choose "copy special" and then "images." Paste images to the word document and the problem will be solved.  

If you need further guidance, refer to the step-by-step screenshots attached at the end of the rubrics. 

   

Forum Instructions:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

My main topic:

  

It is a question whether or not the age that one weds in influence divorce and how you consider all things on how contented are you with an early wedding. Early weddings have always occurred rampantly and causing unnecessary tension among victims. Underdeveloped countries lead in early wedding cases at a higher fraction than developed countries (MacInnes, 2017). Before the wedding, age is a very important factor to consider. Both parties should consider how ready or prepared they are to enter into marriage. The consideration made on the age of wedding will reduce divorce largely (Wagner, 2011). The variables age of wedding and divorce are closely relatable in proven ways.

In this project, our dependent variable is “age wed”. It stands for the age when first married. Questions relating to this variable from the survey include are you currently married, widowed, divorced, separated, or have you never been married? If ever married: How old were you when you first married? (Wagner, 2011). The independent variable, on the other hand, is divorce. The questions relating to this variable from the survey include are you currently married, widowed, divorced, separated, or have you never been married. If currently, married or widowed: Have you ever been divorced or legally separated?

The variables age when first married and divorce have close relations related hence most appropriate for this project. From the survey questions, the age when first married and divorce pose the same survey questions. The fact that this two variable led towards a common direction of thought prompted me to use them for this project. The fact that there have been increased cases of divorce also promoted the look into the variable of the age of wedding to determine if it is a leading cause to divorce. The two variables closely related promote the research of this project and explain accurately how the age of wedding can affect the occurrence of a divorce among couples.

Age of wedding is has a close relationship to divorce. People who tend to marry earlier have a higher tendency to end up divorced. Research has proved that one main reason why people who wed earlier tend to divorce more than those who wed later in their lives is due to not having a fair share of singlehood (Wagner, 2011). A fair share of singlehood refers to that chance of not being in a relationship. Before the wedding, it is important for people to experience life outside being in a relationship to make the right decisions when the time to wed comes. Numbers of divorce cases will reduce if this practice persists.

Age of wedding divorce is has a profound effect because the earlier one weds the higher the chances of divorce. Hence, these two variables; divorce and age of wedding affect each other. In a relationship where a couple weds later in their lives, there is a lesser probability of divorce. An explanation to this is that both parties have had a fair share of singlehood hence as they decide to wed they may not be termed as making an uninformed decision. Hence, it is important to consider one’s age before diving into marriage to reduce occurrences of divorce.

  

References

Wagner, W. E. (2011). Using IBM SPSS statistics for social statistics and research methods. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press, An Imprint of SAGE Publications.

MacInnes, J. (2017). An introduction to secondary data analysis with IBM SPSS statistics

The main website for the statistics is:  https://gssdataexplorer.norc.org/pages/show?page=gss%2Fabout