Advanced Statistics – 2024

Written assignment

You will write a short research paper on a topic you find interesting. This paper provides an
opportunity to delve into advanced statistics and research methodology, honing your
analytical and academic writing skills. Below, you will find the formal requirements, sample
headers, pointers, a list of possible datasets, a sample article, tables, and a list of crucial
considerations to guide you throughout the paper-writing process.

Formal requirements

• Write precisely, clearly, and concisely.

• Submit the assignment via Canvas before the deadline (.doc or .docx), with line
spacing set to 2.
• Use Times New Roman font, with a maximum of 1700 words (-/+ 10%).
• Include only your student number.
• Pay attention to correct and neat writing style, as spelling mistakes will result in a
negative rating.

Structure

The table below outlines an example structure for your assignment paper. The pointers next
to each header offer guidance on what is expected from you in each section.

HEADERS POINTERS GRADING

Describe your topic in a concise manner. Use at least 2 points
Introduction one peer-reviewed article on the topic. Formulate
clear research questions. Also try to justify why you
chose these question(s). For example, what is the
puzzle or paradox in the literature? What is your
scholarly/societal contribution to literature?

Write this section so that it logically connects to the

arguments and hypotheses in the next section.

Example formulations for research question(s):

- (To what extent) is there a relationship between X1
and Y?
- (To what extent) does X1 influence Y?
- (To what extent) does X1 have an effect on Y?

Arguments and Using existing theory (from the literature), formulate 2 points
Hypotheses arguments that lead to at least one testable
hypothesis. In this section, you should use at least
one substantively relevant, peer-reviewed article to
support your arguments. This could be the same
1
 article you use in the Introduction section to show
the gap in the literature.

The hypothesis(es) can be directed or undirected, but

it should be clear from the text why you are
formulating them directed or undirected.
Data and Describe here your operationalization of the key 2 points
Measurements variables of interest and the sample used and report
and interpret the descriptive statistics for all the
variables used in the analysis (in the form of a table)

Include at least two control variables in the analyses

and justify your choice of control variables in this
section as well.
Results Perform a stepwise regression in SPSS, e.g., first a 2 points
bivariate regression and then the multiple regression
with one control variable and then another multiple
regression with the two control variables, etc. Report
the results and interpret the results in as much detail
as possible. Create tables in APA style (do not copy
paste output directly from SPSS).

Describe as precisely as possible what your results

mean and why you have to refute or accept the
hypotheses you have formulated.

Conclusion Clearly and concisely describe the implications of 2 points

your analysis in relation to the chosen topic, research
question(s), and the relevant literature. Provide a
brief overview of the key findings. Explicitly refer
back to the theoretical framework, reasoning, or
ideas presented in the "Arguments and Hypotheses"
section. Show how your results align with or
challenge these concepts. Explain the significance of
your findings and how they advance or refine
existing knowledge.

Acknowledge and identify any weaknesses or

limitations in your study. This could include aspects
like methodological constraints, potential for reverse
causality, or alternative explanations for your results.
Reflect on how the identified weaknesses might
impact the overall conclusions drawn from your
study.

References APA style! deduction of

max 1 point
for missing
or incorrect
formatting
Appendices SPSS syntax files (copy and paste from SPSS) deduction of
max 2 points
if missing

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Sample Tables

For descriptive statistics:

Table 1. Descriptive statistics

Range Mean/% S.D. N

X1

C1

C2

For regression results:

Table 2. Regression of Y on X1, C and X2

Model 1 Model 2 Model 3
b β b β b β
Constant 2.181 (.280) 2.993 (.325) 2.993 (.325)
*** *** ***
X1 3.137 (.526) 3.000 (.516) 2.999 (.514)
.875 .856 .852
*** *** ***
C1 -.200 (.109) -.200 (.109)
. .150 .150
* *
C2 .220 (.072)
-.125
**
R2 .215 .254 .254
N 1500 1500 1500
Note: Standard errors are shown between parentheses. *** = p < .001, ** = p < .01, * = p <
.05, n.s. = p >=.05

Things that require special attention

• X1 is your main independent variable included in your hypothesis, which refers to

the relationship between X1 and Y.
• C1 and C2 are your control variables. C1 and C2 do not need to be mentioned in the
hypotheses, but you explain the reason for controlling C1 and C2 in the “Data and
Measurements" section.
• In the "Data and Measurements" or "Results" section, make sure you briefly
interpret the descriptive statistics to summarize the basic characteristics of your
sample in relation to the variables of interest.
• In the "Results" section, you should substantially interpret the coefficients
(contextualize the interpretation so that it is meaningful to the reader, e.g., explicitly
state what a one-unit increase means for your variables), their significance in relation
to your hypotheses, and the fit of the model based on R2.
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 • Even if the coefficient for your X1 is not significant in Model 1 and
remains/becomes non-significant in Model 2 or 3 (after adding the control
variables), interpret the (changes in) coefficients to show your understanding.
• In the data measurement section, explain in detail the data processing you have done.
If the variable you chose has an undesirable inverse scale (e.g., higher values
indicating less of something), you can recode it. In any case, interpret the regression
coefficients in context, i.e. taking into account the coding of the variables.

Sample article

De Graaf, N. D., De Graaf, P. M., & Kraaykamp, G. (2000). Parental cultural capital and
educational attainment in the Netherlands: A refinement of the cultural capital
perspective. Sociology of education, 92-111. https://doi.org/10.2307/2673239

Possible datasets

World Values Survey (WVS): https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/wvs.jsp

European Social Survey (ESS): https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org

General Social Survey (GSS): https://gss.norc.org

Stanford Large Network Dataset Collection: https://snap.stanford.edu/data/

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA): https://www.oecd.org/pisa/data/

(This data is more complicated than others, and if you choose to use it, please consult your
tutorial teacher for additional support material)