Learn About Dispersion of a Continuous Variable in SPSS With Data From the World DataBank (2012)

This dataset is designed for teaching about the dispersion of a continuous variable. The dataset is a subset of data derived from the World Bank’s DataBank online tool, and the example shows how to produce both numerical and graphical measures of dispersion for unemployment across countries in 2012. The dataset file is accompanied by a teaching guide, a student guide, and a how-to guide for SPSS.

You can preview and download the dataset from this tab. The dataset is available in multiple file formats, compatible with most common software packages. You can also view and download the Codebook, which provides information on the structure, contents, and layout of the dataset.

Codebook

World Databank 2012

VARIABLE NAME

VARIABLE LABEL

TYPE

WIDTH

DECIMALS

1

country

Country

String

90

0

2

inflation

Inflation Rate

Numeric

8

6

3

unemployment

Unemployment rate

Numeric

8

1

This example uses a subset of data from the ED Data Express website operated by the U.S. Department of Education (http://eddataexpress.ed.gov/), specifically from the Achievement Data subsection from the State Tables page (http://eddataexpress.ed.gov/state-tables-main.cfm). This example includes observations from all 50 U.S. States plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. All variables are expressed as percentages.

There are a set of variables on math, reading, and science performance levels, measured either for the 2011–12 school year or the 2012–13 school year. They all record the percentage of students scoring as proficient on the State Assessment for that subject for that grade level.

The grade levels are 4th grade, 8th grade, or High School for math and reading.

They are “Elementary”, “Middle School”, and “High School” for science.

There is a variable for the Freshman Graduation Rate measured in 2009–10.

The variable “choice201112” measures the percentage of eligible students who participated in a public school choice program.

The two “qualified” variables measure the percentage of core academic classes taught by highly qualified teachers in the given academic year. According to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, a highly qualified teacher is one who (1) has a bachelor’s degree, (2) has full state certification or licensure, and (3) has demonstrated subject matter competency in the subject they teach. Core academic classes include English, reading/language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography.

In this tab you will find guides on using this dataset. The Teaching Guide is designed for faculty who are teaching research methods and statistics, with suggestions on how to use the dataset in lab exercises, in homework assignments and as exam questions. The Student Guide introduces the method for students, and can be used in teaching to provide students with an introductory overview of the method or test. The How-to Guide shows how to perform the technique or test using data analysis software.

About This Dataset

Data Source Citation

The World Bank. 2012. World DataBank [Data file]. Retrieved from http://databank.worldbank.org/data/home.aspx

Full title of originating dataset

World DataBank

Data author(s) and affiliations

The World Bank

Dataset source website address

http://databank.worldbank.org/data/home.aspx

Data Universe

All countries

Funding sources/suppliers

World Bank Group

Data collection dates

2012

Unit of analysis

Country

Location covered by data

Global

Links to SRM content

  • Wilcox, R. (2004). Dispersion. In Michael S. Lewis-Beck, A. Bryman, & Tim Futing Liao (Eds.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. (pp. 274–276). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412950589.n250
  • Dispersion, Measure of. (2005). In W. Paul Vogt (Ed.), Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology. (3rd ed., pp. 95–96). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412983907.n573

List of variables

country

Country

inflation

Inflation rate

unemployment

Unemployment rate

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