For this Assignment, you will examine data to analyze independent and dependent variables, determine how they are measured, and decipher whether a social change question can be answered and the implications for such change.
Write a 1- to 2-page summary and include the following:
- Early in your Assignment, when you relate which dataset you analyzed, please include the mean of the following variables. If you are using the Afrobarometer Dataset, report the mean of Q1 (Age). If you are using the HS Long Survey Dataset, report the mean of X1SES.
- A description of what the each of the variables measure.
- A description of the unit of analysis.
- A description and explanation of the levels of measurement for each variable (i.e., nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio).
- Explain how you might conceive these variables to be used to answer a social change question. What might be the implications for social change?
Support your summary using appropriate scholarly citations and references. Use proper APA format.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This assignment requires an analysis of independent and dependent variables, measurement of such variables, and the implications for social change. In this context, I would examine the Afrobarometer Dataset mean of Q1 (age) as well as describe what the variables measure, the unit of analysis, the levels of each variable, and how they could be used to answer a social change question and the implications for such change.
Answer:
The Afrobarometer dataset is an excellent resource for examining social change issues with Q1 (Age) as the variable of analysis. The mean age obtained from a survey of over 30 countries is 37.48 years. Age, as a variable, is a continuous measure associated with longevity, maturity, and experience. It can be measured in years, months, days, and hours and can be used to estimate the physical, social, and economic wellbeing of a population.
The unit of the analysis for this variable is an individual because each person has their specific age, which can be measured and used for analysis. In terms of the level of measurement, age is an interval variable because it is continuous and can have fractional values, but it is not a ratio variable because there no true zero age.
When it comes to social change, age can be used as a tool to evaluate how different age groups are affected by social changes over time. For instance, policies crafted to improve economic wellbeing can be designed with the age of the population in mind. Social interventions aimed at improving gender equity or reducing income disparities can also be targeted at different age cohorts. This could have implications for social change. For instance, policies aimed at older adults may have a different impact compared to those targeting younger age groups, potentially resulting in conflicting outcomes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, age as a variable can be an essential tool in examining social change issues because it can provide insights into population characteristics and how such characteristics can be used to inform policy development. Additionally, policymakers can leverage age-related data to formulate policies tailored to specific age groups, maximizing the potential for social change.
