In this lesson’s assignment, you will complete a problem set in which you address levels of data and types of variables. Answers to the problems must be complete and written in formal narrative language. In addition, you will write a short essay related to data privacy. You will also explore the different types of graphs used to visualize data. Results from both Excel and SPSS should be copied and pasted into a Word document for submission.
Explain the concept of a random variable. Explain what it means to say, “Variables must vary.” Why is the concept of variables important for learning statistics?
List and define the four levels of measurement (using examples) discussed in this lesson’s introduction and resources. In your opinion, which one or more is the most appropriate for statistical analysis? Explain.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of continuous and discrete variables. What is a common challenge of trying to calculate statistics using discrete variables?
Identify example variables from your professional and personal life at each level of measurement. Explain why you selected the level you did for each, relying on this lesson’s resources for support.
Identify at least 4 (two of each) discrete and continuous variables from your own professional or personal life and explain why you selected the category you did for each, relying on this lesson’s resources for support.
Use the provided datasets for building one of each of the four chart types below. For each chart, select a variable from the provided dataset with a measurement level that is best visualized by that chart type. Use APA style to label each chart. Each graph must contain a narrative description of what it represents and an interpretation of the image. Use this narrative and the graph to tell a story with your data.
Pie chart
Bar chart
Scatterplot
Histogram
Length: 7 to 10 pages not including title page or reference page
References: Include a minimum of 4 scholarly resources (This is only a minimum requirement. You should strive to include more than the minimum in all doctoral research). Be sure to reference Excel and SPSS as they are resources for this assignment, although not scholarly.
