SPSS Assignment Part 1 Instructions
Describing a Normative Sample
When it comes to the use of psychological tests one approach that both researchers and clinicians take in trying to understand participants performance is a norm-referenced approach. With a norm-referenced test the test is given to a large representative group of participants known as the normative sample (a.k.a. norm group). Then the scores of all subsequent test-takers are compared to the scores of the norm group. In order for the norm group to be a valid comparison group it has to be representative of the population who will be taking the test.
So how do we know if the normative sample is representative? When summarizing the psychometric properties of a test test developers and publishers usually describe the norm group with theirdemographic variables. Demographic variables are characteristics of the participants like: gender age ethnicity relationship status socioeconomic status religious affiliation etc. A description of the normative sample allows examinersto decide if the test of interest can be used with their intended examinees. For example if the normative sample were 95% male then you likely could not logically compare their scores to females test takers! That is why readers need to know what the normative sample looks like.
The purpose of the current assignment is for you to provide a verbal (and graphical)description of a fictional normative sample of research participants.
In the Assignment Instructions folder there is an SPSS data file that will be the basis for your analyses. The data provided are fictional and were created solely for the purposes of our SPSS assignments. This data file includes: 1) demographic information for a normative sample of 428 participants and 2) participants scores on a test called the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D scale).
The CES-D Scale is utilized to measure symptoms of depression. It is a self-assessment that is completed by the individual. The CES-D contains 20items rated on a 4-point scale (0 = Rarely or None of the Time to 3 = Most or All of the Time). The phrase During the past week prefaces the questions in order to emphasizecurrentdepressive mood. Scores on the total scale are summed and can range from 0 to 60. Traditionally individuals with scores over 16 are identified as depressed (Weissman et al. 1977) though due to high false positive rates a score of 27 is considered a more useful cut-off (Zich et al. 1990). The full scale can be accessed at:https://nts122.chcr.brown.edu/pcoc/cesdscale.pdf. Items 4 8 12 and 16 are worded in reverseto avoid response set (i.e. yay-saying or nay saying). The CES-D includes four subscalesdepressive affect well-being somatic and interpersonalthat assess specific features of depressive symptomology. Several studies have validated the four subscales across a variety of subgroups (Hertzog et al. 1990; Knight et al. 1997).
With this first SPSS assignment you will learn how to go from raw demographic data to describing a normative sample in an APA-formatted reportJ
For this assignment you will:
1. Calculate descriptive statistics and create appropriate graphs for three (3) of the demographic variables presented in the SPSS data file.
2. Create a table (or tables) showing the most appropriate descriptive statistics for the three (3) demographic variables that you chose. The descriptive statistics that you report will depend on the type of variables that you have selected (categorical vs. continuous). Be sure to format your table headings according to current APA guidelines.
3. Create the most appropriate graphs for the three (3) variables that you selected. Again the graphs that you present will depend on the type of variables that you have selected (categorical vs. continuous). Be sure to format your figure captions according to current APA guidelines.
4. Write a verbal summary. This summary section will include 2 elements:
a. First describe the normative sample based on the descriptive statistics that you calculated for the three demographic variables that you chose. See the sample assignment posted in Bb for guidance on how to describe the sample.
b. Second explain why it is an ethical imperative for us as Christians doing research/clinical work to describe and evaluate the demographic characteristics of the sample we are using as a comparison group for other test takers. Include in your rationale a discussion of the issue ofrepresentativeness as well asat least one scriptural citationthat supports your line of reasoning.
Be sure to carefully review the Grading Rubric posted in the Assignment Instructions folder so that you know exactly what is expected of you when completing this assignment.
This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 2.
References
Hertzog C.; Van Alstine J.; Usala P.D.; Hultsch D.F.; &Dixon R. (1990). Measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in older populations.Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology2(1) 64-72. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.2.1.64
Knight R. G. Williams S. McGee R. & Olaman S. (1997). Psychometric properties of the
Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in a sample of women in
middle life.Behavior Research and Therapy 35(4) 373380.doi:10.1016/S0005-
7967(96)00107-6
Weissman M. M. Sholomskas D. Pottenger M. et al. (1977). Assessing depressive symptoms in five psychiatric populations: a validation study.American Journal of Epidemiology 106 203214.
Zich J. M. C. C. Attkisson & Greenfield T.K. (1990). Screening for depression in primary care clinics: the CES-D and the BDI.International Journal of Psychiatry and Medicine 20(3) 259277.
Answer Preview
There are several of the demographic variables are present in the considered dataset. To make my life easy I choose the easiest three variables which are Age Gender and Ethnicity.
Note that here age is a quantitative variable thus the usual descriptive statistics and histogram of box plot would be most appropriate for age.
On the other hand the Gender and Ethnicity are qualitative variables (nominal scaled) thus the frequency table and a Pie Chart or Bar chart would be most appropriate for these variables.
The obtained tables and the related graphs are given below