Section 2: Calculate and Interpret Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

Using the grades.sav file, compute descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis for the following variables:

• id
• gender
• ethnicity
• gpa
• quiz3
• total

Copy the descriptives output from SPSS and paste it into your Word document. Below the descriptives output table in your Word document:

• Indicate which variables are meaningless to interpret in terms of mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis. Justify your decision.
• Next, indicate which variables are meaningful to interpret. Justify your decision.
• For the meaningful variables, do the following:
  • Specify any variables that are in the ideal range for both skewness and kurtosis.
  • Specify any variables that are acceptable but not excellent.
  • Specify any variables that are unacceptable.
  • Explain your decisions.
• For all meaningful variables, report and interpret the descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis).

Submit both sections of your assignment as an attached Word document.

Resources

• Histograms and Descriptive Statistics Scoring Guide.
• IBM SPSS Step-by-Step Guide: Histograms and Descriptive Statistics [DOC].
• Copy/Export Output Instructions.

APA Style and Format.