The 99% confidence interval for males runs from 3.26 to 4.11 hr. One way to interpret this result is to state that, in 100 samples each of size 244 males from the U. S. adult population, we would expect the confidence interval to include the true population value for the mean ideal number of children 99 times out of those 100. We can never be sure that in this particular sample, the confidence interval includes the population mean. Still, our best estimate for the average relaxation hours per day falls within a narrow range of 0.85 (4.11 – 3.26). For females, the 99% confidence interval is 2.79–3.57 hr, with a range of .78 (3.57 – 2.79). We’ll continue to explore the relationship between gender and relaxation hours in chapter.
SPSS Problems [GSS14SSDS-b]
1. Recall that the GSS sample includes men and women from 18 to 89 years of age. Does it matter that we may have responses from men and women of diverse ages? Would our HRSRELAX results change if we selected a younger sample of men and women?
a. To take the SPSS demonstration one step further, use the Select Cases procedure to select respondents based on the variable AGE who are less than or equal to 35 years old. Do this by selecting Data and
then Select Cases. Next, select If Condition is satisfied and then click on If. Find and highlight the variable AGE in the scroll-down box on the left of your screen. Click the arrow next to the scroll-down box. AGE will now appear in the box on the right. Now, tell SPSS that you want to select respondents who are 35 years of age or less. The box on the right should now read AGE ≤ 35. Click Continue and then OK.
b. Using this younger sample, repeat the Explore procedure (with the 99% confidence interval) that we just completed in the demonstration. What differences exist between men and women in this younger sample on hours per day the respondent has to relax? How do these results compare with those based on the entire sample?
2. Calculate the 90% confidence interval for the following variables, comparing lower, working, middle, and upper classes (CLASS) in the GSS sample. Use the Explore procedure using CLASS as your factor variable (Analyze, Descriptive Statistics, Explore). Make a summary statement of your findings. (Make sure you reset Select Cases to All cases.)
a. HRSRELAX (hours to relax per day)
b. EDUC (Respondent’s highest year of school completed)
c. HRS1 (work hours per week)
d. MAEDUC (Mother’s highest year of school completed)