Activity 14.3
Creating a Bivariate Percentage Table with Nominal Level Variables, Using SPSS

The objective in this activity is to create a percentage table using the software package SPSS, introduced in Chapter 8. We will employ a procedure in SPSS called crosstabulation, or "crosstabs," to create the table with two variables measured at the ordinal level and calculate a lambda to summarize the relationship displayed in the table.

Go to SPSS and open the data file containing the General Social Survey for 2000; the SPSS file name is "GSS2000depr" (download / help downloading). The dependent variable will be the respondent's feelings about walking in his or her neighborhood at night. The SPSS variable name is "fear" and has two values, "yes" and "no". The independent variable will be the respondent's sex: SPSS variable name "sex," with values of "male" and "female."

Click on "Analyze" near the top of the page; when the box appears under "Analyze," click on "Descriptive Statistics"; when a box appears to the side, click on "Crosstabs." Now you are looking at a new window titled in the status bar, "Crosstabs." Scroll through variables on the left and highlight "fear." Use the arrow button to move "fear" into the box titled "Row(s)"; this will be your dependent variable.

Scroll through the variables on the left again and highlight "sex." Use the arrow button to move "sex" into the box titled "Column(s)"; this will be your independent variable. Click on the "Cells" button at the bottom of the window. Now you are looking at a new window titled in the status bar, "Crosstabs: Cell Display." In the small box titled "Percentages" click on "Column" so that a check mark appears; this will ensure that percentages in the table are calculated down the columns. Click on the "Continue" button. Now you are back at the window titled "Crosstabs."

Click on the "Statistics" button at the bottom of the window. Now you are looking at a new window titled "Crosstabs: Statistics." In the outlined area titled "Nominal," click on "lambda"; this will ensure calculation of that statistic. Click on the "Continue" button. Now you are back at the window titled "Crosstabs." Click on "OK."

A window titled "Output-SPSS Viewer" appears; the results of your data analysis examining the relationship between sex and attitude toward walking in the neighborhood at night are in this window. Scroll through the results, noting what percentage of men and women are afraid or not afraid to walk in the neighborhood at night. Note under the percentage table the value of lambda calculated for the relationship displayed in the table.

Print the output generated by SPSS and write a brief summary of the information found in the table, describing the relationship between sex and attitude toward walking at night.