Module 4 – Self Directed Activity

SPSS Exercise: Correlation – Pearson’s r

Before completing this assignment, watch these videos:
Bernstein, M. J. [bernstmj]. (2011, June 21). Correlation [Video File].
Watch this video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjM3CtvAsTA

Complete the following:

Research Scenario:
A researcher is interested in seeing if achievement scores for a math test are correlated with other
variables: Gender, Mode of Instruction, Time Taken to Complete. To answer this research question,
conduct a Pearson’s correlation test, including descriptive statistics.

Gender: Male or Female

Mode of Instruction: 1 = on-line lecturing; 2 = group discussions; 3 = hands on
demonstrations.
Time Taken to Complete: 10 – 60 minutes

STEP 1: Label Variables.

Go to “Variable View” in SPSS and input the following data into SPSS after identifying the
variable names. Remember to specify the measure of the variable based on your working
knowledge of scales of measurement. Below are step-by-step instructions along with the
data set.

Provide the names for each variable that corresponds to the name here.
Mode of Instruction Gender Math Test Score Time Taken
3 M 49 35
2 M 71 42
1 M 82 27
1 F 97 35
1 F 98 17
1 F 88 10
1 F 98 25
3 F 59 35
1 M 75 45
1 M 79 58
2 F 65 14
3 F 58 43
3 F 49 12
1 M 99 44
1 M 71 51
2 M 72 14
3 M 53 16
2 F 60 36
2 M 73 23
 2 F 57 13
2 M 50 32
2 F 70 11
3 F 75 39
3 F 55 46
3 M 62 59

STEP 2: Input the data above in the “Data View.” After inputting the variable names, input
the data in the Data View tab.

STEP 3: Conduct the Analysis:

Once your data file is complete, following the tutorials, conduct the following analyses:
• Create a scatter plot displaying the relationships between Math Test Scores and each
of the other variables.
• Conduct a correlation test for relationships between Math Test Scores and the other
variables.
• Describe each of the relationships using the terminology related to direction and
strength.
• Determine which of the relationships (if any) are statistically significant.

You will need to submit your work in a Microsoft Word document with screenshots of SPSS
output in the designated location. In addition to the analysis provide an interpretation of
what your results mean.