One of the most crucial components of this course is developing a research project from conceptualizing a research problem and develop a number of complementary design, measurement, and data collection approaches to bring evidence to bear on the problem.  We are going to create a research study based on previous research you choose to use.  We will then determine which variables we can use from the General Social Survey (GSS) which are representative of our interests and satisfy our research question and hypotheses.  Not to worry, there are over 5,000 variables within this dataset to choose from. This paper will enable us to complete the following objectives: Describe and apply the concepts and logic of elementary statistics. Conduct statistical analysis in SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Compare and contrast different types of data and the statistics that can be used to analyze them Examine the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics and their use in the social sciences. Form critical interpretations of quantitative research literature in sociology and other social sciences. Complete and interpret descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis Critically evaluate the quality of research design and evidence in published social research. Instructions This paper and the accompanying presentation are a compilation of the assignments and activities that you will complete for your weekly Forum posts.  Each week you will have an activity to complete.  You will post your work and engage with your instructor and classmates throughout the week to determine the “perfect” version of your work.  In other words, you are expected to revise anything prior to placing it you’re your ‘Final Portfolio Project’ file.  You will create a designated word file to act as a repository of assignments.  Each week you will copy and paste your work for the discussion board (not including your responses to classmates) into this file and format-as-you-go to become a cohesive paper.  You are encouraged to use subheaders for each section. Construct a paper that fully explores each of the following areas: Each section should have information for context which provides your reader with the background necessary to understand what you are presenting.  What I mean by this is that you will want to ‘present’ the topic of hypothesis testing while citing resources like Babbie (your textbook) and other resources located in the class.  You may than present your outline of this testing as it relates to your variables.  Without context, the reader may be lost.  Your professor is looking to see whether you understand what you are writing about, not simply going through the motions. The project will be presented to the Professor as a professionally written paper approximately 5-7 pages in length, not including the title page or references section.  In addition, this project will be presented to the class in the Week 8 Forum as a multimedia pr.

1. One of the most crucial components of this course is developing
a research project from conceptualizing a research problem and
develop a number of complementary design, measurement, and
data collection approaches to bring evidence to bear on the
problem. We are going to create a research study based on
previous research you choose to use. We will then determine
which variables we can use from the General Social Survey
(GSS) which are representative of our interests and satisfy our
research question and hypotheses. Not to worry, there are over
5,000 variables within this dataset to choose from.
This paper will enable us to complete the following objectives:
Describe and apply the concepts and logic of elementary
statistics.
Conduct statistical analysis in SPSS (Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences).
Compare and contrast different types of data and the statistics
that can be used to analyze them
Examine the differences between descriptive and inferential
statistics and their use in the social sciences.
Form critical interpretations of quantitative research literature
in sociology and other social sciences.
Complete and interpret descriptive and inferential statistical
data analysis
Critically evaluate the quality of research design and evidence
in published social research.
Instructions
This paper and the accompanying presentation are a compilation
of the assignments and activities that you will complete for your
weekly Forum posts. Each week you will have an activity to
complete. You will post your work and engage with your
instructor and classmates throughout the week to determine the
“perfect” version of your work. In other words, you are

2. expected to revise anything prior to placing it you’re your
‘Final Portfolio Project’ file.
You will create a designated word file to act as a repository of
assignments. Each week you will copy and paste your work for
the discussion board (not including your responses to
classmates) into this file and format-as-you-go to become a
cohesive paper. You are encouraged to use subheaders for each
section. Construct a paper that fully explores each of the
following areas:
Each section should have information for context which
provides your reader with the background necessary to
understand what you are presenting. What I mean by this is that
you will want to ‘present’ the topic of hypothesis testing while
citing resources like Babbie (your textbook) and other resources
located in the class. You may than present your outline of this
testing as it relates to your variables. Without context, the
reader may be lost. Your professor is looking to see whether
you understand what you are writing about, not simply going
through the motions.
The project will be presented to the Professor as a
professionally written paper approximately 5-7 pages in length,
not including the title page or references section. In addition,
this project will be presented to the class in the Week 8 Forum
as a multimedia presentation using either Power Point with
narration,
Screencast-o-matic
, or
Prezi
. Other programs need to be submitted to the instructor for
review.
The following table is an outline of each task that you will
complete on the discussion forums.
Project Outline
Week

3. Task
1
Choose a topic based on previous paper, assignment, or research
Post topic to the DB
2
Create frequency tables, including descriptive statistics data,
and histograms. Provide a brief explanation of your findings.
3
Find correlation data for your variables
Create and explain crosstabs for your variables
Identify a research question and develop your hypotheses
(research and null). Also include if this is a directional or non-
directional hypothesis
Clearly identify your variables (independent v. dependent,
levels of measurement, if they are discrete or continuous, etc.)
4
Present research articles which utilize quantitative data
Write your literature review
* For the DF you will need to focus on critiquing the statistical
process of these articles, BUT for your final portfolio project
you will need to provide a literature review based on these
articles. In other words, you will need to provide more of a
comprehensive overview (as you would in a research paper) of
these articles for the final version.
5
Chi-square test
Determine your test statistic (see table for more details)
6
t Test
Determine your ideal test statistic
Perform the ANOVA test. You will need to choose an
appropriate variable where many groups can be considered
(religious background, political affiliation, level of education,
SES, or income for example). Remember to recode certain
variables (income for example) to make reasonable categories.
7

4. Proofread the file and work on “tightening things up”
Do not forget to include your conceptual framework (based on a
theory within your field of interest), literature review, research
question and hypotheses
8
Submit your presentation to the Forum
* You will want to provide a brief introduction to the sections
above in your final paper. For example, you may find that
defining the concept or topic is a valid way for you to provide
context for the reader. You will cite these definitions as you
include them. This style of writing is expected and
demonstrates your level of understanding and confidence using
the material from class.
** Remember to revise as needed based on feedback you receive
from your instructor and fellow classmates.
You will also include the following:
Citing your research, identify a conceptual framework which
sets the stage for your research. Conceptual frameworks are
particularly useful as organizing devices in empirical research.
Likewise, conceptual frameworks are abstract representations,
connected to the research project's goal that direct the
collection and analysis of data. You will want to provide a
theory as well. Perhaps you want to use one that is in your
literature.
Include a short overview (no more than 3-5 sentences) on your
instrument- the General Social Survey.
Provide the questions verbatim that were asked in the survey
which became the variable which you chose to use. You will
also need to include the answer choices for each of them. This
portion can be a table if you choose.
Don’t forget to include proper APA-style citation and reference.
However, you do not need to include an abstract or table of
contents. You can find guidance in APA by

5. clicking here to access
the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, Arial or
Times New Roman 11 pt font,