For this activity, you will be required to learn a new SPSS function, called “Split File” and then use it to perform subgroup comparisons of SPSS data.
To learn more about what the Split File function is and how to use, please review the guide I created.
Directions
complete the following tasks:
1. Use the Split File function in SPSS to compare groups based on the variable COMPUSE. You can choose either approach that I describe in the tutorial video (“Compare groups” or “Organize output by groups”). The output looks slightly different but either approach will produce the same information.
2. Create a frequency distribution for the AGE variable. When you create the frequency distribution, please also tell SPSS to:
o Calculate the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation for the variable (those options are found when you click the “Statistics” button)
o Create histograms (that option is found when you click the “Charts” button.
3. Once your output has been created, please use the measures of central tendency, the standard deviation, and the histogram to compare the “Yes” and “No” categories for the COMPUSE variable.
o Note that all of the output that you see is for the “AGE” variable. The comparison that has been setup is based on the ages of people who responded “Yes” to the COMPUSE variable vs. people who responded “No.”
o You will need to interpret all of the results based on the context of the variables. In other words, what do the differences between the two groups tell you? What does a “No” response to the COMPUSE variable mean and then what does the age distribution of people who responded that way tell you? You will want to consider the same thing for the people who responded “Yes,” and then compare them.
o You will need to explain what the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation mean for each group. You will also need to explain what they tell you about the age distribution overall. You should also reference the histogram to explain that.
4. Include screenshots of the measures of central tendency, the standard deviation, and the histogram for group (“Yes” and “No”).
