2_Data Analysis

2_Data Analysis

1. I. INTRODUCTION

   • Social science research is about
     • Human behavior
     • Statistical tests
     • Formal or informal

2. II. DATA GATHERING

   • Data based on
     • observations, notes, surveys, etc.
     • Steps: -Sample -Measures -Coding -Entry -Checking
   • Research question
     • Cause and effect with possible explanations: Hypotheses/theories
       • Variable: something that varies in value
         • if Y... then X...
   • The sample: random selection
   • The measures
     • Variables measured before hypotheses
       • Independent variables are influential in dependent variables
         • gender, community, religion
   • Data coding, entry and checking
     • different values to record a variable
       • Variable levels and codes: numerical
         • specific range of numbers for no errors

3. III. UNIVARIATE STATISTICS

   • two aspects of vatiables
     • Central tendency: variable's typical score
       • Informative
         • mean: average value (high inferential); median: middle value; mode: most occurring value
       • Quantitative (high precision): age, income
       • Qualitative (less precise)
         • Ordinal: rank a case in "more" or "less" (willing to)
           • psychological attitudes
         • Nominal: presence or absence of an attribute
           • religion, gender, region
             • arbitrary
     • Dispersion: spread scores