Final Data Assignment

SW 4810, Fall 2015

December 9, 2015
Michal Goldberg

I. Introduction
This study utilizes the General Social Survey as a means of analyzing numerous
variables among those who participated in the survey. The variables included in this study
are the following: race, sex, age, tvhours, educ, and hapmar. Table 1 below indicates the
description, the level of measurement, and values for each variable.
Table 1. Description of Variables
Variable Name
Description
race

Race of respondent

Level of
Measurement
Nominal

sex

Gender

Nominal

age

Age of respondent

Continuous

tvhours

Hours per day

watching TV

Continuous

educ

Highest year of
school completed

Continuous

hapmar

Happiness of
marriage

Nominal

Variable Values
1=White
2=Black
3=Other
1=Male
2=Female
98=DK
99=NA
-1=NAP
98=DK
99=NA
97=NAP
98=DK
99=NA
0=NAP
1=Very happy
2=Pretty happy
3=Not too happy
8=DK
9=NA

II. Sample
A. Sample Characteristics: Variables and Tables
In order to describe the study sample, the variables race, sex, and age were examined
using descriptive statistical tests in SPSS. Race and sex characteristics can be found in
Table 2. Characteristics for age can be found in Table 3.

Table 2:
n (%)
Race
White
Black
Other
Sex
Male
Female

796 (79.6%)
133 (13.3%)
71 (7.1%)
429 (42.9%)
571 (57.1%)

Table 3:
n
998

Age

Mean
45.50

SD
17.155

B. Sample Characteristics: Description

The sample for this study consists of mainly of whites (79.6%) and has slightly
more females (57.1%) than males (42.9%). In addition, the ages of participants generally
ranged from around 28-63 years in age (Mean = 4.50, SD = 17.155).

III. Chi Square Test

A. Research Question: What is the relationship between happiness of marriage and
race?
B. Null Hypothesis: There is no relationship between happiness of marriage and race.
C. Alternative Hypothesis: There is a relationship between happiness of marriage and
race.
D. Chi Square Test Results
a. Chi Square Table
Table 4. Chi Square Test of the Relationship between Happiness of Marriage and
Race
Race
Very Happy
Pretty Happy
Not Too Happy
n (%)
n (%)
n (%)
White
253 (65.2%)
123 (31.7%)
12 (3.1%)
Black

16 (41.0%)

20 (51.3%)

3 (7.7%)

Other
10 (38.5%)
2 =15.902, df=4, p=.003

15 (57.7%)

1 (3.8%)

b. Chi Square Test Description of Results

There is a significant relationship between race and happiness of marriage. (2
=15.902, df=4, p=.003).

IV. Correlation
A. Research Question: What is the relationship between the hours of TV watched per
day and age?
B. Null Hypothesis: There is no relationship between the hours of TV watched per day
and age.
C. Alternative Hypothesis: There is a relationship between the hours of TV watched
per day and age.
D. Correlation Results
a. Correlation Table
Table 5. Correlation between Hours of TV Watched per Day and Age
Variables
Hours of TV Watched per Day
Age
.111*
*p=.001
b. Correlation Description of Results
There is a significant and positive relationship between age and hours of TV
watched per day, although the correlation is weak, (r=0.111, p= .001). As age
increases, the hours of TV watched per day also increases.

V.

t-Test

A. Research Question: What is the relationship between the highest year of school
completed and sex?
B. Null Hypothesis: There is no relationship between the highest year of school
completed and sex.
C. Alternative Hypothesis: There is a relationship between the highest year of school
completed and sex.
D. t-Test Results
a. t-Test Table

Table 6. T-test Results of Differences in Highest Year of School Completed by Sex

Highest year of school completed n
Mean SD
t
df
p
Male
427
13.33
3.119 2.091 865.30 .037
9
Female
568
12.93
2.822
b. t-Test Description of Results
The highest year of school completed varies by gender significantly (t=2.091,
df=865.309, p=.037). Males report completing higher years of education (Mean =
13.33, SD = 3.119) than females (Mean = 12.93, SD = 2.822), although the
difference is minimal, lessening the meaning behind it.

VII. Study Implications

A. Conclusions
The research indicates there is a significant relationship between race and happiness of
marriage. Studies should be done to further examine the different rates of happiness
among races in comparison to one another. In addition, factors such as lifestyles and/or
cultures of a race can be studied to discern their relationship to happiness of marriage.
Findings could be used to assess the differences between those who are unhappy and
happy with their marriages and used as a means of identifying which behaviors are
constructive for a happy marriage. The research also proves there to be a positive
correlation between age and hours of TV watched per day. However, the correlation is
weak, which may indicate the lack of meaning within the findings. More studies with a
larger age range can be done to determine if the correlation is stronger than it appears. It
may be worthwhile to study other factors affected by age, such as ease of mobility, to see
whether they have a stronger impact on the amount of hours spent watching TV than age.
A significant difference was identified between the highest year of school completed and
gender. Findings showed the difference was slight, rendering its meaningfulness as
minimal. More studies can be conducted to determine factors other than gender which
may have more of an impact on the highest year of school completed.
B. Generalizability
The sample used for this study is somewhat generalizable to the population of the United
States of America (USA). In regard to race, the percentages of races within the U.S.
population in 2014 were 77.4% white, 13.2% black, and 9.4% other, which
approximately matched the percentages in the study, which were 79.6% white, 13.3%
black, and 7.1% other (Unites States Census Bureau, n.d.). In regard to race, the findings
are generalizable. However, in regard to gender, women were represented in the study as
57.1% of respondents, a slightly higher rate than their actual presence in the country,
50.8% (United States Census Bureau, n.d.). Findings of the study are biased towards
women and may not be as applicable to men. Being that the standard age of those who

participated ranged from around 28-63 years old, the findings are not generalizable to
those who do not fall within the mentioned age groups.
References
United Sates Census Bureau. (n.d.). Quick facts: United States. Retrieved, from
http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045214/00