There are four exercises that use data from the 2014 General Social Survey to explore gender differences. These exercises could be used to help students learn the principles of quantitative analysis with a focus on gender differences. The exercises look at gender differences in political party affiliation, political orientation (conservative, moderate, liberal), political interest, voting, and opinion on the social issues of abortion, capital punishment, and gun control. Control variables (i.e., family income, respondent's income, gun ownership) are added into the analysis to see how they affect gender differences. Exercises refer students to the relevant parts of an online introduction to SPSS, the software package used in this analysis. This online introduction is freely avalable at http://ssric.org/node/459. Each exercise consists of four files -- the data set in SPSS format, extended notes to the instructor, the SPSS syntax necessary to carry out the exercise, and the SPSS output for the exercise.
Type of Material:
Assignment.
Recommended Uses:
These exercises could be used in an intro level course as an assignment that helps students conduct a mini research analysis when the scientific method is introduced or when gender is discussed. It could be used in a Gender Studies course to help students begin to think about research in the area.
Technical Requirements:
Requires SPSS (any version) and ability to read Microsoft Office (docx) files.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Major goal is to learn to use SPSS effectively. Secondary goal is to explore gender and other variables and how they influence political behavior and attitudes.
Target Student Population:
College-level, advanced high school.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
A little knowledge of SPSS and research methods. The author provides a link to an online introduction to SPSS.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Very detailed and direct. Walks the user through the needed steps and adds material at a measured pace.
Concerns:
Depending on the class/level of the students; the instructor might have to spend some time assisting students to complete the tasks. This could be assigned as an individual or group project.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Students learn more effectively by doing. This offers students a "quick" introduction to analyzing secondary databases. It goes step by step making it easy for the student to use the General Social Survey.
Concerns:
The instructor should determine if modifications are necessary for their students.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Nicely organized and to the point. All needed materials (other than the SPSS program itself) are readily available. This is part of the resources available on the Social Science Research and Instructional Center. This site has a format for material that is easy to navigate and use. These exercises and data sets can be downloaded in word processing format and modified, distributed, or placed on a local server.
Concerns:
Students may have difficulty navigating the site.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
