How Do I Calculate Z-Scores and Create Frequency Distributions in SPSS?

  • Thread starter Thread starter superstats
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating Z-scores and creating frequency distributions using SPSS for a survey measuring attitudes toward same-sex marriage. Users are guided on constructing frequency distributions through the "Descriptives" and "Explore" functions in SPSS, which allow for generating histograms and descriptive statistics. Additionally, the distinction between standard deviation and standard error of the mean is clarified, emphasizing the need to use the standard error for accurate Z-score calculations. The conversation highlights practical steps for beginners in SPSS to analyze survey data effectively.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of SPSS software
  • Familiarity with statistical concepts such as mean, standard deviation, and Z-scores
  • Knowledge of frequency distributions and measures of central tendency
  • Ability to interpret survey data and descriptive statistics
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to create histograms in SPSS using the "Descriptives" and "Explore" functions
  • Study the calculation of Z-scores in SPSS, focusing on standard error of the mean
  • Explore the use of SPSS for generating descriptive statistics for survey data
  • Investigate the interpretation of normality plots in SPSS
USEFUL FOR

Students, researchers, and data analysts who are learning to use SPSS for statistical analysis, particularly in the context of survey data and frequency distributions.

superstats
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
My university professor has assigned us a paper and we are just beginning to learn how to use SPSS. I am stuck on one particular question and am not sure how to proceed. This is the question:

2) "A survey measuring attitudes toward same-sex marriage was administered to 1000 people. The survey asked the following questions:

1) What is your age?
2) What is your sex?
i) Male
ii) Female

3) Marriages between people of the same sex do not work out and should be banned by law.
i) Strongly agree
ii) Agree
iii) Undecided
iv) Disagree
v) Strongly disagree

4) How many years of schooling have you completed?
5) Which category below best describes the place where you grew up?
i) Large city
ii) Medium-size city
iii) Suburbs of a city
iv) Small town
v) Rural area

6) What is your martial status?
i) Married
ii) Separated or divorced
iii) Widowed
iv) Never married

The scores of 20 respondents are reproduced below:

Case / Age / Sex / Attitude On same-sex marriage / Years of school / Area / Marital Status
[the 20 cases and data is here]

a) For each variable, construct a frequency distribution and select and calculate an appropriate measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion. Summarize each variable in a sentence.

b) For all 1000 respondents, the mean age was 34.70 with a standard deviation of 3.4 years. Assuming the distribution of age is approximately normal, compute Z scores for each of the first 10 respondents above and determine the percentage of the area below (younger than) each respondent."

For a), how do I go about constructing a frequency distribution from my 20 cases?
For b), what confuses me is how do I set the standard deviation of 3.4 years in SPSS? Or am I thinking this question out incorrectly? Much thanks if you can guide me with SPSS!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hey superstats.

For a frequency distribution go to the descriptives, then explore and you'll get the option to produce a histogram as well as the other descriptive statistics with a normality plot.

For b you need to consider the standard error of the mean and not the standard deviation: they are related but not the same. This is again an option in SPSS in one of the descriptives (forget which one).
 
If there are an infinite number of natural numbers, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two natural numbers, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and... then that must mean that there are not only infinite infinities, but an infinite number of those infinities. and an infinite number of those...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
6K