Download nursing 63-582 - advanced statistics

46-331 Assignment 3: Interpreting SPSS Data Analysis
The questions that follow are based on the SPSS output file that you were given (Assignment 3 output
file). Read over the description of the data set, and then look through the entire output file before you
attempt to answer the questions.
About the data set: “Assignment 3 data” is based on a data set that was compiled by a former honours
thesis student of mine, Ann Docherty. Some variables from Ann’s original data file have been eliminated
and others have been recoded to simplify her data for the purposes of this assignment.
Ann was interested in the effects on first-year undergraduate students of making the transition to
university life. She was particularly interested in whether males and females differ in their experiences
of beginning university, and whether students who remain in their parents’ homes differ from students
who move away and live in residence when they begin university. She also wondered how perceived
parental support affected this transitional experience.
Her primary dependent variables of interest were:
1) adjustment to university as measured on a 15-point inventory (ADJUST)
2) stress as measured on a 14-item inventory called the Perceived Stress Scale (STRESS; items are
pss1 to pss14)
Her primary independent variables of interest were:
1) gender of students (SEX)
2) whether or not the students had moved away from their parents’ homes to begin
university (RESIDE)
She also examined the degree to which the students perceived their parents to be supportive, using a
20-item inventory (SUPPORT).

The output that you need to interpret is contained in the file “Assignment 3 output file” (or
“Assignment 3 output Word”).

The command syntax for the analyses that you need to interpret is contained in the file
“Assignment 3 syntax” (or “Assignment 3 syntax Word”).
Submit: your typewritten and carefully numbered answers to each of the questions on the reverse
side. It is not necessary to submit the output file or syntax file.
Consult: with me or your TA, Cathy Dishke-Hondzel during our office hours, if you need help on this
assignment.
Due: Thursday March 30, during class time.
Based on your interpretation of this SPSS output file, please answer each of the following questions**:
1. What is the age range of the sample? What is their mean age? (2 pts.)
2. What percentage of the sample was male? What percentage of the sample was female? (2 pts.)
3. What was the range of scores for the Perceived Stress Scale? Identify the mean and standard
deviation for this scale. (3 pts.)
4. What was the range of scores for the scale that measured students’ perception of parental
support? Identify the mean and standard deviation for this scale. (3 pts.)
5. Among students living away from home, what percentage were 19 years old? What percentage
were 20 years old? Was there a significant chi-square value indicating an association between
age and place of residence? (4 pts.)
6. Report a statistic that indicates the overall internal consistency reliability of the Perceived Stress
Scale. (1 pt.)
7. On the items on the Perceived Stress Scale, which item contributes least to the internal
consistency reliability of this measure? Provide evidence for your answer. (2 pts.)
8. What is the correlation between parental support and adjustment to university? Is it statistically
significant? Describe the direction of this correlation. (3 pts.)
9. What is the correlation between adjustment to university and student stress? Is it statistically
significant? Describe the direction of this correlation. (3 pts.)
10. What was the dependent variable in the analysis of variance (ANOVA)? What were the
independent variables? (3 pts.)
11. Based on the ANOVA, what were the results for the main effects in the study? (In your answer,
you should specify the relevant F value, degrees of freedom, and an indication of the significance
of each effect that you report.) (6 pts.)
12. Based on the ANOVA, what were the results for the interaction in this study? (In your answer,
you should specify the relevant F value, degrees of freedom, and an indication of the significance
of any effect that you report.) (4 pts.)
13. If there were any significant effects reported in your answers to questions 12 and 13 above,
explain in simple terms what these significant effects mean. Which group(s) experienced greater
stress? Provide some speculation about what these results might suggest about the stress of
beginning university. (4 pts.)
** Make sure that each of your answers is clear and complete, and that you cite relevant statistics to
back up your statements.