In this exercise, you will be asked to choose and examine one of these topics in

In this exercise, you will be asked to choose and examine one of these topics in more depth. Our goal is to allow you to use and apply several of the SPSS Statistics techniques introduced in earlier chapters. In addition, we want you to gain more practice not only with using SPSS Statistics but also with interpreting your findings and writing up research results. Throughout the past few chapters, we have periodically supplied you with Writing Boxes, which illustrate how a social scientist might communicate findings in writing. Remember, the ability to interpret and communicate your findings in writing is crucial. While this skill is as difficult to teach as it is to master, our experience has been that the more you read research reports in the media, scholarly journals, and the like, and the more you practice creating your own research reports, the better your chances of success.
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Reminder: All of the techniques we ask you to use in this exercise were discussed in Chapters 5 through 8. If you have any trouble recalling a particular command, please consult the appropriate chapter.
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From the list provided previously, choose a topic or issue you are interested in investigating further.
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Use the Utilities Variables command to identify the variables in your AdventuresPLUS.SAV file that pertain to this issue or topic. Then, list the abbreviated variable name, variable label, and values for each item in the space provided below.
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Abbreviated Variable Name????Variable Label/Description???????Values
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Using the Internet, the library, or another research tool, investigate the issue or topic you have chosen. Then, write a few short paragraphs in the space below (similar to those in the Writing Boxes in this chapter) that accomplish the following:
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Provide a general overview or introduction to this issue or topic.
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State why the issue or topic is of interest to you (as well as others).
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Highlight at least one of the central questions and controversies that make this issue or topic ripe for social research and further investigation.
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In the space provided below, indicate which of the values for each variable identified in Question 2 should be defined as “missing.” Once you have done that, use SPSS Statistics to define these values as “missing.”
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Run frequencies for each variable listed in response to Question 2. Then, summarize your findings in a paragraph or two in the space provided below. Be sure to print your frequencies and attach them to this sheet.
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Run the appropriate graphs or charts for each variable listed in response to Question 2. Then, summarize your findings in a few short paragraphs in the space below. Be sure to include a title on each of your charts, print them out, and attach them to this sheet.
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Choose two of the following techniques:
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Running measures of central tendency and dispersion
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Recoding
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Index construction
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Then, use the techniques you chose to investigate the issue or topic you are considering in more depth. After examining the issue or topic, summarize your findings below. In addition, print out and attach your output to this sheet.