Frequency Tables and Histograms

Problem Set 1: The BDI (Beck et al., 1961) is an instrument widely used to assess levels of depression in individuals in a variety of settings. The scores range from 0–63 (whole numbers only). A researcher administers the BDI to a sample of college students. The results appear in the table below. They are entered as 2 columns here to save space (i.e., you will not need 2 columns in the SPSS file).
BDI Scores
9 15
10 11
9 10
9 4
11 61
3 61
11 20
20 15
11 10
62 11

1. Using the data in the table above, set up a data file in SPSS and create a frequency table to show the frequency of each score on the BDI. Paste the frequency table here: (8 pts)
2. How many students have a BDI score of 20? (5 pts)
3. What percent of students have a BDI score of 9? (5 pts)
4. Which score has the highest frequency in the table? (5 pts)
5. Using the same data, create a histogram in SPSS to show the distribution of the BDI data. Paste the histogram here: (7 pts)
   Problem Set 2: The overall livability scores of 12 US cities appear in the columns to the left. The data are based on data taken from the livability calculator at (http://www.areavibes.com/). Enter the data in a new SPSS file. When creating the City variable, be sure that the type is set to “String” in the Variable View so that the names will show up on the graph.
   City Livability Score
   Boston 73
   Austin 83
   Chicago 73
   Pittsburgh 75
   San Diego 80
   Jackson, MS 72
   Detroit 67
   Miami 71
   New York 73
   Charlotte 80
   Atlanta 78
   Seattle 77
6. Using the data in the table above, set up a data file in SPSS and create a bar chart that shows the livability rating for each city. (8 pts)
7. Which three cities have the highest livability scores according to the graph? (5 pts)
8. What level of measurement is the variable “City”? Support your answer with information from the course materials (textbook or presentations). (5 pts)
9. What level of measurement is the variable “Livability Score”? Support your answer with information from the course materials (textbook or presentations). (5 pts)

Answer the following question based on Problems 1 and 2 above and what you have learned from readings and presentations this week.

1. Why is it appropriate to create a histogram for the BDI scores, but a bar chart for the livability ratings? (7 pts)