The Research Report

f or
SPSS Research Report

The research report for this assignment must conform to

the following format.
Use the section headings indicated.

1. Hypothesis (2 paragraphs)
Provide a clear statement of a bivariate relationship. Identify the independent
and dependent variables. Describe the values of the variables. Next, indicate the
control variable and its values. Then, present a second hypothesis which describes
what you think will be the effect of the control variable on the original bivariate
relationship described in your first hypothesis. You should use values in your
statements; that is, instead of "Race has an impact on the death penalty", you should
write, "A higher percent of blacks will receive the death penalty than whites".

2. Rationale (2 paragraphs)
In this section, write a paragraph-length narrative which describes your
thinking about the two hypotheses. In other words, explain why you think the
independent variable will affect the dependent variable and why the control variable
will influence that bivariate relationship. This paragraph must be clear and concise.

3. Results
In this section, you are to present the results of your data analysis, without
comment, in the form of bivariate and multivariate tables. Each table must follow APA
Style format presented in Chapter 2.

Remember to avoid computer shorthand in your tables; that is, instead of

"PARED", use "Parents' Education." The average professional or nonprofessional
person should be able to understand your tables with minimal effort.

4. Discussion (3 paragraphs)
Here, you are to describe and intrepret the results of your data analysis,
referring to the numerical data in your tables. In the course of your discussion, you
will also find it necessary to refer to your hypothesis and rationale. Be sure to include
an explanation of the effects of the control variable. Draw some conclusions or make
some recommendations based on your study. When writing this section, make sure you
understand the difference between description and explanation/interpretation.

5. Appendix
Place your computer printouts and other materials in this section. Printouts
should be put in the proper order. The reader should be able to easily refer to your
printouts.

Keep in mind that writing skills and visual presentation will affect your grade on
these reports. The instructor will use the "Research Report Grading Sheet", on
the next page, to assign your grade. You should study and become familiar
with it.
 SOWK 300 Computer Applications

Research Report Grading Sheet

SPSS Research Report

Hypothesis (5pts) (2 paragraphs)

Did the writer provide a clear statement of a bivariate relationship?
Were the independent, dependent, and control variables identified?
Were the values of variables indicated?
How will the control variable affect the bivariate relationship? (i.e. Multivariate
Hypothesis)
Rationale (5pts) (2 paragraphs)
Were reasons for the causal relationships presented? (both bivariate & multivariate)
Did the thinking make sense?
Was the explanation clear?
Results (10pts)
Were tables presented according to the APA Style? Professional vs amateur work?
Were the rules (lines) drawn & inserted correctly?
Were the tables labelled?
Were variables and their values labelled?
One bivariate table and one multivariate table with correct subtables?
Avoided abbreviations & computer jargon?
Discussion (20pts) (3 paragraphs)
Did the writer correctly refer to the hypothesis and rationale?
Did the writer refer to numerical data (%'s) in the tables?
Discussion of the bivariate relationship?
Explanation of the effect of the control variable (multivariate discussion)?
Conclusions?
Presentation (5pts)
APA Style cover page
Lines 1&1/2 or double-spaced
Used section headings
Used APA Style headers to number pages
Mechanics (5pts)
Sentence structure & paragraphing
Easy to follow? Used jargon in narrative?
Grammar & Usage
Spelling
Punctuation
Begin sentence with number character
General (10pts)
Does the report, as a whole, make sense? Did the writer emphasize accuracy?
Is there order to it? Does each section follow from the ones preceeding and move the
reader to the next?
Did the writer demonstrate an understanding of the issues and problems involved?
Did the writer demonstrate an appropriate investment of time & energy?
Appendix (40pts)
Tables in correct order, with dated headings
CROSSTABS (bivariate)
CROSSTABS (multivariate)
SYNTAX FILE (one page)
Errors (Recode, Labels, etc)
 A Sample Paper 1

Running head: A SAMPLE PAPER ACCORDING TO THE PUBLICATION MANUAL

Full title
writer’s name,
course name and section number of course,
instructor’s name,
and date all centered
 A Sample Paper 2

Abstract

The abstract should be a single paragraph in block format (without paragraph indentation) and
should not exceed 120 words. See section 1.07 of the APA manual (American Psychological
Association [APA], 2001) for additional information. The abstract is simply a summary of the
paper. One trick in writing the abstract is to write one summary sentence for each major part of
the paper. Then you will have a nice, four-sentence abstract.
 A Sample Paper 3

Hypothesis (2 paragraphs)
Provide a clear statement of a bivariate relationship. Identify the independent and dependent
variables. Describe the values of the variables. Next, indicate the control variable and its values.
Then, present a second hypothesis which describes what you think will be the effect of the
control variable on the original bivariate relationship described in your first hypothesis. You
should use values in your statements; that is, instead of "Race has an impact on the death
penalty", you should write, "A higher percent of blacks will receive the death penalty than
whites".

Rationale (2 paragraphs)
In this section, write a paragraph-length narrative which describes your thinking about the two
hypotheses. In other words, explain why you think the independent variable will affect the
dependent variable and why the control variable will influence that bivariate relationship. This
paragraph must be clear and concise.
 A Sample Paper 4

Results
In this section, you are to present the results of your data analysis, without comment, in the form
of bivariate and multivariate tables. Each table must follow APA Style format.

Remember to avoid computer shorthand in your tables; that is, instead of "PARED", use
"Parents' Education." The average professional or nonprofessional person should be able to
understand your tables with minimal effort.
 Table 1
Attitudes about Changing the Drinking Age By Age Group of R (%)

Rʼs Age Group

61 and
Attitude Under 30 30-45 46-60 Older Totals

Agree 76.9 40.0 11.4 20.0 36.6

No Opinion 11.5 40.0 28.6 13.3 24.8
Disagree 11.5 20.0 60.0 66.7 38.6
Totals 99.9 100 100 100 100
(N) (26) (25) (35) (15) (101)

Source: General Social Survey, 1972-2000

 Table 2
Attitudes about Changing the Drinking Age By Age Group of R
Controlling for Rʼs Gender (%)

Age Group of R

61 and
Attitude Under 30 30-45 46-60 Older Totals

Male Respondents
Agree 76.9 41.7 11.1 37.5 39.2
No Opinion 7.7 41.7 27.8 0.0 21.6
Disagree 15.4 16.6 61.1 62.5 39.2
Totals 100 100 100 100 100
(N) (13) (12) (18) (8) (51)

Female Respondents
Agree 76.9 38.5 11.8 0.0 34.0
No Opinion 15.4 38.5 29.4 28.6 34.0
Disagree 7.7 23.0 58.8 71.4 38.0
Totals 100 100 100 100 100
(N) (13) (13) (17) (7) (50)

Source: General Social Survey, 1972-2000

 A Sample Paper 5

Discussion (3 paragraphs)

Here, you are to describe and intrepret the results of your data analysis, referring to the numerical
data in your tables. In the course of your discussion, you will also find it necessary to refer to
your hypothesis and rationale. Be sure to include an explanation of the effects of the control
variable. Draw some conclusions or make some recommendations based on your study. When
writing this section, make sure you understand the difference between description and
explanation/interpretation.(300-500 words)
 A Sample Paper 6

References

Adams, J.A. & Zukofsky, S.P. (1999). I saved my patient with the APA.American Journal of
Public Health,72, 801-843. Retrieved August 13, 2001, from Health and Wellness Resource
Center database.

Burgess, Q. (1998). Mastering the APA in 600 easy lessons (Rev. ed.). Orlando: Harcourt.

Byrd, P. (1999, July/August). Bed-side manner with the APA. Hospital Etiquette, 53. Retrieved
August 19, 2001, from Academic Search Premier database.

Kinko, P., McConnell, C., Stone, S., Forehand, S., Blondeau, K., Leybold, J. (2001). We fought
the APA and the APA won. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 276, 1279-1285.

Salton, D.C. (1998, March). Sex, lies and the APA. Psychology Retrieved August 13, 1999, from
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ stakcs/psycoloquy-index.html
 A Sample Paper 7

Appendix

Place your computer printouts and other materials in this section. Printouts should be put in the
proper order. The reader should be able to easily refer to your printouts.

Keep in mind that writing skills and visual presentation will affect your grade on these reports.
The instructor will use the "Research Report Grading Sheet", on the next page, to assign your
grade. You should study and become familiar with it.