A researcher is studying parental opinion related to the Common Core Standards.

Question

A researcher is studying parental opinion related to the Common Core Standards. A survey of parents is conducted to identify their feelings. The survey uses a Likert scale. We identify that the means for the two sample groups, one chosen from Texas and the other from New York, are different. The mean for New York parents is 4.1 on a five point scale (with 5 being most favorable toward the Common Core Standards). The mean for Texas participants is 2.4. The distributions of scores are similarly shaped. What test should be run to identify whether these results are significantly different?

What are the variable attributes (ordinal, scale, discrete, continuous, categorical, etc.) in this situation?

What statistical test should you use to find the answer?

Where would you find this test in SPSS?

Justify your answer fully.

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

Given mean texas = 2.4 and mean New York = 4.1

The variables are ordinal in nature as it is measured over a sclae of 1-5 , where 1 is least favorable and 5 being the highest favorable.

In order to test the difference between the 2 groups , we can conduct a independent sample t test for 2 sample.

Now it is only given that the shape of the 2 groups is same , however if the shape is normal then we can go for independet t test if the shape is not normal , we can go for a non parameteric test such as mannwhitney test ,

also we should check for the sample size , if it is less than 30 then we shall go for t test and if it is greater than 30 then we shall conduct a z test too

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