HOMEWORK: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS TEMPLATE
This assignment is worth a total of 60 points.
Content: point values vary but are indicated in the template and total 45 points.
Format: point values vary but are indicated in the template for 10 pts. The remaining 5
pts are for placing answers in the correctly designated spots within the template in a clear
and easy to read format (e.g., all fit within the visible screen on the page); demonstrating
competency in written expression/grammar, spelling, and punctuation; and uploading the
template in an approved format (word or PDF). Thus, the maximum is 15 points for
format.
Go to Sage Edge link located in the Homework: Descriptive Statistics Resources section.
Click on “Datasets” and download “Reminiscence Study”. Open the folder. Read the
“Reminiscence description” (PDF or word – both are the same). Open the SPSS data file
named “reminiscence with errors” in SPSS. This is real data from a study conducted as part of
a class project. However, this file has errors added to the demographic data for the purpose of
this practice exercise. You will be using this dataset to complete this assignment.
1. Calculate the Cronbach’s alpha for each of the two subscales from the Savoring Beliefs
Inventory (“Savoring the Moment” – note 1, 3, 5, and 8 are reverse scored, and
“Anticipating the Future” – note 2, 6, 7, and 8 are reverse scored). How many items were
in each subscale? Was each subscale internally reliable? Support this answer by reporting
and interpreting both Cronbach’s alpha values. 3 pts each = (6 pts content / 1 pt format)
Each of the subscales, “Savoring the Moment” and “Anticipating the Future” both had
eight items; four were reverse scored in each subset.
When looking at each subscale, we can see that each one was internally reliable. For the
“Savoring the Moment” subscale, alpha = 0.78; for the “Anticipating the Future” subscale,
alpha = 0.81. Both of these are above the 0.70, which equates to a good internal consistency.
SPSS calculations for “Savoring the Moment”:
Page 1 of 15
, PSYC 510
SPSS calculations for “Anticipating the Future”
Page 2 of 15