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Variables, Measurement, and SPSS

Walden University
RSCH 8210: Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
Dr. Randy Heinrich
September 5, 2021
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Dataset Analysis via SPSS

For purposes of this assignment, the Afrobarometer dataset was utilized. There were
10,313 total study participants ranging in age from 18 to 100. The mean age of those
participating in the research study is 37.15 years old with a standard deviation of 14.490 years.
Due to failure to disclose age by 90 research participants, this statistic was calculated using the
reported ages of 10,223 study participants.
Afrobarometer was established with an identified aim to include the public opinion data
collected via survey, questionnaires, and sampling methods for consideration by “policy makers,
policy advocates, civil society organizers, academics, news media, donors, investors, and
ordinary Africans” (Afrobarometer, 2021). Afrobarometer collects data, analyzes it, and
publishes factual findings for those who visit the site. Additionally, Afrobarometer conducts
face-to-face interviews with those who are interested in participating in their research
(Afrobarometer, 2021).
Dataset Variable Description
Problems with Public Schools
Perceived problems with public schools are measured using an interval scale.
Participants who identify higher scores are indicating more problems in the public school system.
This variable is important to consider when understanding the overall public school satisfaction
of the participants. Those who identify more problems with the public school are likely to
perceive the public school system negatively. Furthermore, understanding those problems can
have socioeconomic implications.
Employment Status
Employment status is measured on a nominal scale. Participants are asked to provide a
‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to this question. Important to consider when inquiring about employment
status are the associated benefits with secure employment. Those benefits have a potential
impact on the education setting (payment for school supplies, payment for school lunches,
involvement in extracurricular activities, participation in field trips, fundraising implications,
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etc.) and the public health setting (payment for services, medical insurance provided by
employer, inclusion in fitness programs, etc.).
Problems with Public Health Clinics
Perceived problems with public health clinics are measured using an interval scale.
Participants who identify higher scores are indicating more problems with public health clinics.
Several factors may impact how the population views public health clinics. Those who do not
have medical insurance may have difficulties with the public health clinic that those with
medical insurance do not. Additionally, those who struggle financially may have more problems
with public health clinics that those who are financially stable do not encounter.
Implications for Social Change
As indicated by Megan Price (2015), statistical analysis and understanding can answer
“virtually any question”. Understanding the above-noted variables and how they intersect and
interact can provide beneficial data used to promote social change. If a researcher were to find
connections between employment status and an increase in perceived problems with public
schools and public health clinics, the researcher can then conduct further studies on increasing
satisfaction with public providers via secured employment and associated benefits. Furthermore,
following collected data from that study, a researcher could further the hypothesis with provided
benefits outside of the employment setting. The researcher may find that satisfaction with public
entities (public schools and public health clinics) is not dependent on employment but rather the
health benefits associated with employment.
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References:
Afrobarometer. (2021). Afrobarometer.org. https://afrobarometer.org

Price, M. (2015). Statistician promotes social justice and human rights [Video file]. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orW01w8a4zY