Quantitative

Analysis Report: Mean Differences Assignment Instructions

Overview

You

will take part in several data analysis assignments in which you will develop a

report using tables and figures from the IBM SPSS® output file of your

results. Using the resources and readings provided, you will interpret these

results and test the hypotheses and writeup these interpretations.

Instructions

·

Copy

and paste all tables and figures into a Word document and format the results in

APA current edition.

·

Interpret

your results.

·

Final

report should be formatted using APA current edition, and in a Word

document.

·

4-5

double-spaced pages of content in length (not counting the title page or

references).

This

assignment has three parts and uses the Florida

County Government. sav dataset. Load the data set into SPSS.

1.      Address

the following research question using an

independent samples t-test:

RQ 3: Is there a significant

difference in the percent of total spending that is environmental spending

between coastal counties and non-coastal counties?

·

H03:

There is no statistically significant difference in the percent of total

spending that is environmental spending between coastal counties and

non-coastal counties.

·

Ha3:

There is a statistically significant difference in the percent of total

spending that is environmental spending between coastal counties and

non-coastal counties.

1.

Open

the data file Florida County Government.

sav.

2.

Perform

an error bar plot first.

3.

Click

on Graphs/Legacy Dialogs/Error Bar.

4.

Click

on Simple button and then radio button “summaries for groups of cases” then

click on Define.

5.

Move

to Variable box on the right the dependent variable Average % Envir. Spending in Total spending (AverageEnvirTotal).

6.

Move

Coastal Area or Not to Category Axis

box.  This is the independent groups

variable. There are two groups: coastal county=1 and not coastal county=0.

7.

Click

OK.

8.

Edit the

error bar plot by adding data labels and title.

9.

Follow

directions in Cronk and in the resources provided. What do you think from that

plot you would expect to find in an independent samples t-test?

10.  Now, perform an independent t

samples t-test with:

o

coastal (1)/non-coastal county (0) as your independent variable groups

and;

o

Average % Envir. Spending in Total

spending (AverageEnvirTotal) as your dependent

variable.

11.  Use Cronk and resources provided to

interpret the results of the Levene’s test of assumed equal variances and then

interpret the t-test results and report based on the testing of your

hypotheses.

2.      Address

the following research question using a One-Way

ANOVA test:

RQ 4: Is there a significant

difference in the intergovernmental revenue growth rate (IGR) based on county

type (metro/suburban/rural)?

·

H04:

There is no statistically significant difference in the intergovernmental

revenue growth rate (IGR) based on county type (metro/suburban/rural).

·

Ha4:

There is a statistically significant difference in the intergovernmental

revenue growth rate (IGR) based on county type (metro/suburban/rural).

1.

Open

the data file Florida County Government.

sav.

2.

Perform

an error bar plot first.

3.

Move

to Variable box on the right the dependent variable intergovernmental revenue growth rate (IGR).

4.

Move

county type (metro/suburban/rural) to

Category Axis box.  This is the

independent groups variable. There are three groups.

5.

Click

OK.

6.

Edit the

error bar plot by adding data labels and title. Follow directions in Cronk and

in the resources provided. What do you think from that plot you would expect to

find in a One-Way ANOVA test?

7.

Now,

perform a One-Way ANOVA test with:

o

County

type as your independent variable groups and;

o

Intergovernmental

revenue growth rate (IGR Growth rate) as your dependent variable.

8.

Run

post-hoc tests as well.

9.

Use

Cronk and resources provided to interpret the results of the Levene’s test of

assumed equal variances, interpret the One-Way ANOVA results, interpret the

results of post-hoc tests, and produce a report based on the testing of your

hypotheses.

3.      Add

a covariate to your One-Way ANOVA and rerun as an ANCOVA.  The new research question is:

RQ 5: Controlling for political

orientation (political), is there a significant difference in the

intergovernmental revenue growth rate (IGR) based on county type

(metro/suburban/rural)?

·

H05:

Controlling for political orientation (political), there is no statistically

significant difference in the intergovernmental revenue growth rate (IGR) based

on county type (metro/ suburban/rural).

·

Ha5:

Controlling for political orientation (political), there is a statistically

significant difference in the intergovernmental revenue growth rate (IGR) based

on county type (metro/suburban/rural).

1.

Perform

an error bar plot first.  What do you

think from that plot you would expect to find in an ANCOVA test?

2.

Then,

perform an ANCOVA test with:

a.

County type as your independent variable groups,

political as your covariate, and;

b.

Intergovernmental revenue growth

rate (IGR Growth rate) as your dependent

variable.

General

Instructions

As

doctoral students, your assignments are expected to follow the principles of

high-quality scientific standards and promote knowledge and understanding in

the field of public administration. You should apply a rigorous and critical

assessment of a body of theory and empirical research, articulating what is

known about the phenomenon and ways to advance research about the topic under

review. Research syntheses should identify significant variables, a systematic

and reproducible search strategy, and a clear framework for studies included in

the larger analysis.

Manuscripts

should not be written in first person (“I”). All material should be 12-point,

Times New Roman type, double-spaced with margins of one inch.

All

manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written, with technical material

set off. Please do not use jargon, slang, idioms, colloquialisms, or

bureaucratese. Use acronyms sparingly and spell them out the first time you use

them. Please do not construct acronyms from phrases you repeat frequently in

the text.

Structure

of Assignment Paper

1.

Use

the following structure for your research article: Abstract, Introduction,

Literature Review/Theory, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion.

Include a robust discussion section distinct from your conclusion.

2.

Give

your article a Title that is both descriptive and inviting to

prospective readers. Your article title should appeal to both scholars and

practitioners. Use a shortened version of the main idea of your article in the

title.

3.

Your

Abstract should inform readers what your article is about and its most

important findings. Readers, including scholars and practitioners, should be

able to understand your topic, argument, and conclusions. Make your abstract

straightforward and do not use technical language or jargon.

4.

In

the Lit Review/Theory, cite only literature and theory pertinent to the

specific issue and not those that are of only tangential or general

significance. When summarizing earlier works, avoid nonessential details;

instead, emphasize pertinent findings, relevant methodological issues, and

major conclusions. Citation of relevant earlier literature is a  sign of scholarly responsibility and it is

critical for the growth of a doctoral student in public administration.

5.

Methods: The Methods section “describes in

detail how the study was conducted, including conceptual and operational definitions

of the variables used in the study. Different types of studies will rely on

different methodologies; however, a complete description of the methods used

enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your methods and the

reliability and the validity of your results” (APA current edition).  Include a description of your sample size and

procedure, participants, how data collected, and research design.

6.

Results include data analysis used,

results of the analysis including tables and figures.

7.

Discussion section includes interpretations

from the analysis. How do your analyses relate to the results found by scholars

in your lit review/theory section. In this section, evaluate and interpret

their implications, especially with respect to your original hypotheses.

8.

Provide

a distinct Conclusion that tells readers what you found, why it is

important, and what difference it will make for research and practice. Ensure

you separate your discussion section from the conclusion of the article.

Synthesize your article; do not summarize it. Show readers how the pieces of

your article fit together. Answer the question “So what?” Why is your article

significant, and how is it relevant?