CHAPTER 14, QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

Chapter Outline

Quantification of Data Univariate Analysis Subgroup Comparisons Bivariate Analysis Introduction to Multivariate Analysis Sociological Diagnostics Ethics and Quantitative Data Analysis Quick Quiz

Quantification of Data

Quantification Analysis The numerical representation and manipulation of observations for the purpose of describing and explaining the phenomena that those observations reflect.

Age

Political Affiliation

1 2 3 4 5

= = = = =

1 2 3 4 5

Democrat = 1 Republican = 2 Independent = 3

Region of Country

Sex

Male = 1 Female = 2

West = 1 Midwest = 2 South = 3 Northeast = 4

Develop Code Categories

1.
2.

Use well-developed coding scheme. Generate codes from your data.

Codebook Construction
Codebook

The document used in data processing and analysis that tells the location of different data items in a data file.

 The

codebook also identifies the locations of data items and the meaning of the codes used. of the Codebook

Purposes
1.

2.

Primary guide in the coking processes Guide for locating variables

Figure 14.1

ATTEND

Abbreviated Variable Name

How often do you attend religious services?

0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Never Less than once a year About once or twice a year Several times a year About once a month 2-3 times a month Nearly every week Every week Several times a week Dont know, No answer
Definition of the Variable

Numerical Label

Variable Attributes

Data Entry
Excel
SPSS

Univariate Analysis

Univariate Analysis The analysis of a single variable, for purposes of description (examples: frequency distribution, averages, and measures of dispersion).
Example:
The

Gender

number of men in a sample/population and the number of women in a sample/population.

Distributions
Frequency

Distributions A description of the number of times the various attributes of a variable are observed in a sample.

Figure 14.3

Figure 14.4

Central Tendency
Average

An ambiguous term generally suggesting typical or normal a central tendency (examples: mean, median, mode).

Mean an average computed by summing the values of several observations and dividing by the number of observations. Mode- an average representing the most frequently observed value or attribute. Median an average representing the value of the middle case in a rank-ordered set of observations.

Practice: The following list represents the scores on a mid-term exam.

100, 94, 88, 91, 75, 61, 93, 82, 70, 88, 71, 88

Determine the mean. Determine the mode. Determine the median.

Figure 14.5

Dispersion The distribution of values around some central value, such as an average. Standard Deviation A measure of dispersion around the mean, calculated so that approximately 68 percent of the cases will lie within plus or minus one standard deviation from the mean, 95 percent within two, and 99.9 percent within three standard deviations.

Figure 14.6

Continuous Variable A variable whose attributes form a steady progression, such as age of income.

Discrete Variable A variable whose attributes are separate from one another, such as gender or political affiliation.

Detail versus Manageability

Provide

reader with fullest degree of detail, balanced with presenting data in a manageable form.

Subgroup Comparisons

Description of subsets of cases, subjects or respondents. Collapsing Response Categories Handling Dont Knows

Numerical Descriptions in Qualitative Research

Bivariate Analysis

Bivariate Analysis The analysis of two variables simultaneously, for the purpose of determine the empirical relationship between them.

Constructing a Bivariate Table

1.

2.

Determine logical direction of relationship (independent variable and dependent variable). Percentage down versus percentage across.

Figure 14.7

Percentaging a Table

Constructing and Reading Bivariate Tables Example: Gender and Attitude toward Sexual Equality
1.
2.

3.

The cases are divided into men and women. Each gender subgrouping is described in terms of approval or disapproval of sexual equality. Men and women are compared in terms of the percentages approving of sexual equality.

Contingency Table A format for presenting the relationship among variables as percentage distributions.

Guidelines for Presentation of Tables

1.
2. 3. 4. 5.

A table should have a heading or title that describes what is contained in the table. Original content should be clearly presented. The attributes of each variable should be clearly indicated. The base on which percentage are computed should be indicated. Missing data should be indicated in the table.

Introduction to Multivariate Analysis

Multivariate Analysis The analysis of the simultaneous relationships among several variables.

Quick Quiz

1. To conduct a quantitative analysis, researchers often must engage in a _____ after the data have been collected. A. coding process B. case-oriented analysis C. experimental analysis D. field research study

Answer: A. To conduct a quantitative analysis, researchers often must engage in a coding process after the data have been collected.

2. Which of the following describe the analysis of more than two variables? A. experimental designs B. quasi-experimental designs C. qualitative evaluations D. multivariate analysis

Answer: D. Multivariate analyses describe the analysis of more than two variables.

3. The process of converting data to numerical format is called _____. A. feminist research B. qualification C. quantification

ANSWER: C. The process of converting data to numerical format is called quantification.

4. Which of the following are basic approaches to the coding process? A. You can begin with a well developed coding scheme. B. You can generate codes from your data. C. both of the above D. none of the above

ANSWER: C. The following are basic approaches to the coding process: you can begin with a well developing coding scheme and/or you can generate codes from your data.

5. A _____ is a document that describes the locations of variables and lists the assignments of codes to the attributes composing those variables. A. cross-case analysis B. codebook C. constant comparative method D. monitoring study

ANSWER: B. A codebook is a document that describes the locations of variables and lists the assignments of codes to the attributes composing those variables.

6. The _____ is an average computed by summing the values of several observations and divided by the number of observations. A. frequency B. mean C. median D. mode

ANSWER: B. The mean is an average computed by summing the values of several observations and divided by the number of observations.

7. Which of the following are aimed at explanation? A. multivariate analysis B. bivariate analysis C. univariate analysis D. both A and B

ANSWER: D. Multivariate analysis and bivariate analysis are aimed at explanation.

8. The multivariate techniques can serve as power tools for A. predicting behavior. B. diagnosing social problems. C. reacting to issues. D. all of the above

ANSWER: B. The multivariate techniques can serve as powerful tools for diagnosing social problems.