SPSS Data Analysis
Does the number of average study hours per week during the semester accurately predict final exam grades?
Independent variable: average number of study hours per week.
Hours is continuous data because it can take on any value below 168 hours, which is the number of hours in a week. Even though the data is reported in integer form the 'hours' data is continuous.
Hours data is quantitative, since it can be summed, divided, and multiplied.
Hours data is ratio data because it has a natural zero point. For example, the range of hours that a student can theoretically study per week is between zero and 168 hours.
Hours is a predictor variable, because it is believed/assumed to influence the outcome of the study.
Dependent variable: Final exam score.
Final exam scores is a discrete variable as reported, although it could be a continuous variable with a value anywhere between zero and 100.
Exam scores are quantitative, because it can be added, divided and multiplied.
iii. Exam scores is ratio data because it has a natural zero point.
iv. Since exam scores is the outcome variable, it is also the criterion variable for statistical tests like linear regression.
The frequency distribution had a Range = 18, with a minimum and maximum average of 4 and 22 hours, respectively. The average dispersion around the mean was SD = 5.389. Together, the range and standard deviation reveal a wide frequency distribution around the mean and considerable variability in the average number of hours studied per week. With a skewness value of 0.177 the frequency distribution is shifted slightly in favor of lower hours studied per week by most students, but there were a few overachievers that averaged a high number of hours per week.
Correlation
A good way to view possible relationships between the independent and dependent variable is the scatterplot. When average hours studied per week is plotted against final exam scores using a scatterplot it becomes apparent that there is a linear and positive relationship. However, to determine the strength of this…
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