Please follow the instructions very carefully to complete the second homework!
1. Load the data you created into the SPSS.
Data should look like this in SPSS.
2. Let's clean it up a little bit.
First, the decimal points for GINI data look ugly. So, Click "Variable View" at the lower left side of SPSS. At the decimal column, reduce the decimal point to 4.
Second, we have two columns for state name. Click back to "Data View" and click the third column and simply push the Delete key.
Now the data looks more clean
3. Let's make a Descriptive Statistics Table
Click Analyze/Descriptive Statistics/Descriptives...
In the following pop-up, put both variables into the box on the right side. and Click 'OK.'
4. In the outcome widnow, SPSS export the descriptive statistics table for both variables.
You can copy the table by making a right-click and paste it into word file.
5. Let's create a new variable by re-coding the existing variable.
We will create a dummy variable that takes the value of 1 for a state with above-average turnout rates otherwise 0.
From the Descriptive Statistics table, we can see the mean value of voter turnout is about 62.
In SPSS, click Transform/Recode into Different Variables..
In the following pop-up, type the variable name for the outcome variable.
Make sure you click "Change" button before going further.
Now, we have to set the rules for re-coding.
Click "Old and New Values" button
Remember the rule! The outcome variable will take the value of 1 if states have above-average turnout rages (62) otherwise zero.
So, first click "Range, value through HIGHEST" and type 62. Then, on the right side of the pop-up, put 1 on the "Value" text box. Make sure to push "Add" button.
Next, click "All other values" and then on the right side of the pop-up, put 0 on the "Value" text box. Make sure to push "Add" button.
The re-coding rules will look this:
Click Continue & OK. Now a new variable would appear like this.
6. Create another recoded variable for GINI index. The outcome data set would look like this.
When you put another recoding rules into SPSS, you have to remove the rules you previously entered.
7. Let's make a histogram.
Click Graphs/Legacy Dialogs/Histogram
Put a variable into Variable box and click OK. The outcome window will display the graph.
8. Let's make a cross-tabulation between these two variables.
Analyze\Descriptive Statistics\Crosstabs
9. Let's make a scatter plot.
Graphs\Legacy Dialogs\Scatter/Dot
Click 'Simple Scatter' & push 'Define' button.
Put VEP_turnout_2016 into the box of Y_Axis.
Put GINI_Index_2016 into the box of X_Axis.
Click OK.
10. Make sure to submit both the excel data file & doc file to the class Blackboard.