Hello and welcome to Dr. Robinson's Sociology 402 official home page for the Spring of 1998 Semester
This is your official source for all of the late breaking stories for YOUR CLASS...
You have the following resources available:
Class SyllabusRIGHT Click here and "SAVE LINK AS"
to a place where you'll remember...this will download the ARTS93.SYS file to your computer
To Send e-mail to Dr. Robinson Click here
To Send e-mail to Shawn Levin click here
Final Project Information:
The following is a sample abstract for a student who looked at the relationship between
being a smoker and being exposed to second hand smoke and then introduced
an employment variable as an intervening variable:
Of all the factors related to exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, being a smoker has seldom
been examined. This relation was tested using a 1993 national survey conducted by telephone
with 5273 adults across the country. The response rate was 72%.
The study found that 52% of smokers reported they spent more than 3 hours of contact on a
certain day with another smoker compared to only 17% of nonsmokers. These results held up
after statistical controls for the age and sex of respondents. Nonetheless, the relation holds more
strongly among the employed than the non-employed.
To conduct an MCA analysis, if you so choose, follow the following steps in SPSS with the
data screen showing:
Click on 'Statistics'
Click on 'General Linear Model'
Click on 'Simple Factorial'
Enter the dependent variable, the independent variable and the control variable.
Define the range of values that you want SPSS to look at. Tell it what values
within the variables you want it to compare.
Click on 'Options', 'Hierarchical', 'MCA', 'Continue'
Click on 'OK'
NOTICE: You may NOT do the same project for this class that you did for SOCY 202 Methods.
You have to pick another relationship to look at.
The Following is the two surveys of which you should pick one and the
statistics for one of the possible responses:
***NOTE***: The statistics presented represent the percent of people
of a given characteristic who responded the way I have chosen. For instance,
for the first question, I chose to look at the people who responded that
lowering the blood alcohol level will INCREASE the number of people who
drive while intoxicated. The numbers for the age variable mean that the people
who believe this include 19.2% of the respondents who were age 18-34,
24.0% of the respondents who were age 35-54, and 38.5% of the respondents
who were over 55. They DO NOT mean that 19.2 percent of the people who think this
are 18-34, 24 percent are 35-54 and 38.5% are over 55. So, a proper interpretation
is that 19.2 percent of the respondents who were aged 18-34 believe that lowering
the legal blood alcohol level will actually increase the incidence of DWI
compared to 38.5 percent of people who are over 55.
FINAL WASHPOLL , April 29, 1998 VERSION A
"Hello, I'm (_______), a sociology student at the University of Maryland and we're doing a class project to find out how the public feels on a variety of subjects that takes 2-3 minutes. We're not selling anything. I need to talk to the (OLDEST) (YOUNGEST) adult/ (MALE) (FEMALE) at this number."
____1. Do you think lowering the legal Blood Alcohol Level will increase, decrease, or have no effect on
the number of people who will drive while intoxicated?
1. Increase 2. Decrease 3. No Effect 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 19.2%, 35-54 - 24%, 55+ 38.5%
Degree: <=High School - 35%, <=Bachelors - 30.6%, >Bachelors - 14.3%
Race: White - 17.1%, Black - 55.6%, Hispanic - 14.3%, Asian - 30%
Sex: Male - 25%, Female - 28.9%
____2. How often did you use the metro-rail system in the past year?
5. Almost every day 4. 3-5 days a week 3. 1-2 days a week 2. Once or twice a month. 1. Less often
0. Not at all (Go to question 4). 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #5
Age: 18-34 - 26.9%, 35-54 - 16%, 55+ 9.1%
Degree: <=High School - 17.4%, <=Bachelors - 19.5%, >Bachelors - 10%
Race: White - 15.9%, Black - 23.8%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 9.1%
Sex: Male - 12.1%, Female - 20%
____3. How satisfied are you with the service you have received using Washington, DC's metro-rail system?
0. Never Use it 1. Very Satisfied 2. Somewhat Satisfied 3. Neutral 4. Somewhat Dissatisfied 5. Very Dissatisfied 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #0
Age: 18-34 - 15.4%, 35-54 - 5%, 55+ 8%
Degree: <=High School - 20%, <=Bachelors - 2.9%, >Bachelors - 14.3%
Race: White - 10.5%, Black - 13.3%, Hispanic - 12.5%, Asian - 0%
Sex: Male - 7.1%, Female - 11.6%
____4. What do you feel is the best of the following solutions to Beltway (Rte 495) congestion?
1. More Lanes 2. Restrictions on trucks and tractor-trailers 3. Another Beltway 4. Express and Local Lanes
5. Other__________________________________ 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 20.8%, 35-54 - 25%, 55+ 22.2%
Degree: <=High School - 30%, <=Bachelors - 26.5%, >Bachelors - 9.5%
Race: White - 17.9%, Black - 38.9%, Hispanic - 12.5%, Asian - 22.2%
Sex: Male - 25.9%, Female - 20.8%
____5. Compared to five years ago, do you feel that the overall quality of the University of Maryland, College Park has
improved, gotten worse, stayed approximately the same, or do you have no opinion?
1. Improved 2. Gotten Worse 3. Stayed Approximately the Same 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #2
Age: 18-34 - 40%, 35-54 - 46.2%, 55+ 20%
Degree: <=High School - 30%, <=Bachelors - 20%, >Bachelors - 75%
Race: White - 35.3%, Black - 27.3%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 100%
Sex: Male - 25%, Female - 42.9%
____6. In general, do you think Major League Baseball games are:
1. Too Long 2. Too Short 3. Just Right 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 40.9%, 35-54 - 43.8%, 55+ 32.0%
Degree: <=High School - 26.7%, <=Bachelors - 40.6%, >Bachelors - 43.8%
Race: White - 46.7%, Black - 29.4%, Hispanic - 40%, Asian - 30%
Sex: Male - 44.4%, Female - 33.3%
____7. Do you feel that the prices of Washington Wizards tickets are:
1. Very High 2. High 3. Just Right 4. Low 5. Very Low 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 21.7%, 35-54 - 47.1%, 55+ 31.6%
Degree: <=High School - 50%, <=Bachelors - 24.1%, >Bachelors - 33%
Race: White - 28.1%, Black - 38.5%, Hispanic - 60%, Asian - 12.5%
Sex: Male - 37.5%, Female - 28.6%
____8. Do you agree or disagree with the ruling in the Paula Jones case against the President?
1. Agree 2. Disagree 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #2
Age: 18-34 - 36.8%, 35-54 - 22%, 55+ 40%
Degree: <=High School - 26.7%, <=Bachelors - 38.2%, >Bachelors - 29.4%
Race: White - 38.2%, Black - 16.7%, Hispanic - 60%, Asian - 33.3%
Sex: Male - 20%, Female - 41.5%
____9. Do you feel that President Clinton did or did not have sex with Monica Lewinsky?
1. Did 2. Did Not 7. DON'T CARE 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 60.9%, 35-54 - 45.5%, 55+ 40%
Degree: <=High School - 36.8%, <=Bachelors - 48.7%, >Bachelors - 58.8%
Race: White - 58.5%, Black - 42.1%, Hispanic - 33.3%, Asian - 25.0%
Sex: Male - 60.7%, Female - 41.3%
____10. Should marijuana be legalized--for use outside of medical treatment?
1. Yes 2. No 3. Undecided 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 30.4%, 35-54 - 26.1%, 55+ 26.7%
Degree: <=High School - 15.8%, <=Bachelors - 29.7%, >Bachelors - 35%
Race: White - 32.4%, Black - 23.8%, Hispanic - 25%, Asian - 22.2%
Sex: Male - 28.6%, Female - 27.7%
____11. On average, about how many movies do you rent per week, or do you never rent movies?
0. Never Rent 1. Less than weekly 2. _________
Response #0
Age: 18-34 - 26.9%, 35-54 - 26.9%, 55+ 39.3%
Degree: <=High School - 61.9%, <=Bachelors - 15.8%, >Bachelors - 28.6%
Race: White - 25.6%, Black - 35.3%, Hispanic - 37.5%, Asian - 45.5%
Sex: Male - 25%, Female - 36.2%
Finally, a few questions to be sure we have a good mix of people in our survey:
_____ P12. In what year were you born?
[1. 18-24 2. 25-34 3. 35-44 4. 45-54 5. 55-64 6. 65+]
_____ P13. What was the highest grade in school that you completed?
[1. 0-8th Grade 2. 9-11th Grade 3. 12th Grade 4. 13-15 Some College 5. 16 College Grad 6. 17+ Graduate Education]
_____ P14. Do you consider yourself to be: 1. WHITE 2. BLACK 3. HISPANIC 4. OTHER_____________
***** THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION*****
"Hello, I'm (_______), a sociology student at the University of Maryland and we're doing a class project to find out how the public feels on a variety of subjects that takes 2-3 minutes. We're not selling anything. I need to talk to the (OLDEST) (YOUNGEST) adult/ (MALE) (FEMALE) at this number."
____1. Do you think that children under the age of 16 should be tried as adults if they commit murder?
1. Yes 2. No 3. Depends 8. NO OPINION 9. DONT KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 27.6%, 35-54 - 41.9%, 55+ 47.1%
Degree: <=High School - 42.9%, <=Bachelors - 39.5%, >Bachelors - 23.1%
Race: White - 51.4%, Black - 25%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 33.3%
Sex: Male - 38.9%, Female - 36.6%
____2. For someone under 18 years of age convicted of a murder, what do you feel should be the main focus of the corrections system.
1. Incarceration Only 2. Rehabilitation Only 3. Pay back to victim/society only 4. Other _______________________ 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #3
Age: 18-34 - 25.9%, 35-54 - 7.1%, 55+ 6.7%
Degree: <=High School - 17.6%, <=Bachelors - 9.8%, >Bachelors - 25%
Race: White - 9.4%, Black - 17.2%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 20%
Sex: Male - 8.8%, Female - 19.4%
____3. Do you feel the United States should or should not have government supported health care?
1. Should 2. Should Not 3. Depends____________________ 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 60%, 35-54 - 67.7%, 55+ 62.5%
Degree: <=High School - 66.7%, <=Bachelors - 69%, >Bachelors - 41.7%
Race: White - 51.5%, Black - 80.6%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 75%
Sex: Male - 54.3%, Female - 73%
____4. How do you feel about parents adopting a child of a different racial background.
1. Strongly Approve 2. Approve 3. Oppose 4. Strongly Oppose 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 37.9%, 35-54 - 35.5%, 55+ 0%
Degree: <=High School - 14.3%, <=Bachelors - 35.6%, >Bachelors - 25%
Race: White - 31.4%, Black - 27.3%, Hispanic - 50%, Asian - 0%
Sex: Male - 23.7%, Female - 32.5%
____5. Do you consider yourself a feminist on most issues, on some issues, on no issues, or do you not know enough about this
subject to have an opinion?
1. Most Issues 2. Some Issues 3. No Issues 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 21.1%, 35-54 - 28.6%, 55+ 28.6%
Degree: <=High School - 7.7%, <=Bachelors - 30.6%, >Bachelors - 33.3%
Race: White - 35.5%, Black - 13%, Hispanic - 50%, Asian - 0%
Sex: Male - 25%, Female - 27.3%
____6. In your opinion, do forms of life exist elsewhere in the universe (besides Earth)?
1. Yes 2. No 8. NO OPINION
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 76%, 35-54 - 82.8%, 55+ 64.3%
Degree: <=High School - 63.2%, <=Bachelors - 78.9%, >Bachelors - 90.9%
Race: White - 84.8%, Black - 64.3%, Hispanic - 100%, Asian - 75%
Sex: Male - 77.4%, Female - 75.7%
____7. Do you feel that eating meat is absolutely necessary, somewhat necessary, or not necessary for a healthy diet?
1. Absolutely 2. Somewhat 3. No 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #3
Age: 18-34 - 34.5%, 35-54 - 46.9%, 55+ 38.9%
Degree: <=High School - 38.1%, <=Bachelors - 46.7%, >Bachelors - 23.1%
Race: White - 44.4%, Black - 48.5%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 0%
Sex: Male - 44.7%, Female - 36.6%
____8. Do you think that laws against smoking in restaurants and public places are too strict , about right, or not strict enough?
3. Too Strict 2. About Right 1. Not Strict Enough 9. DON'T KN0W
Response #3
Age: 18-34 - 0%, 35-54 - 15.6%, 55+ 11.8%
Degree: <=High School - 15%, <=Bachelors - 9.1%, >Bachelors - 0%
Race: White - 11.1%, Black - 9.7%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 0%
Sex: Male - 5.3%, Female - 13.2%
____9. Do you prefer the taste of Coke, Pepsi, or do you have no preference?
1. Coke 3. Pepsi 2. No Preference 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #2
Age: 18-34 - 37.9%, 35-54 - 18.8%, 55+ 44.4%
Degree: <=High School - 33.3%, <=Bachelors - 31.1%, >Bachelors - 30.8%
Race: White - 25%, Black - 33%, Hispanic - 0%, Asian - 66.7%
Sex: Male - 36.8%, Female - 26.8%
____10. In general, do you feel that the sex education currently taught in public schools is :
1. Adequate 2. Inadequate 8. NO OPINION 9. DON'T KNOW
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 72%, 35-54 - 35.3%, 55+ 66.7%
Degree: <=High School - 38.5%, <=Bachelors - 65.5%, >Bachelors - 66.7%
Race: White - 63.2%, Black - 54.5%, Hispanic - 100%, Asian - 100%
Sex: Male - 69.6%, Female - 48%
____11. On a more personal matter, in general, how satisfied would you say you are with your sex life?
1. Very satisfied 2. Somewhat Satisfied 3. Not Satisfied 8. NO OPINION 9. NO ANSWER
Response #1
Age: 18-34 - 62.5%, 35-54 - 30.8%, 55+ 27.3%
Degree: <=High School - 50%, <=Bachelors - 48.6%, >Bachelors - 10%
Race: White - 35.7%, Black - 46.2%, Hispanic - 50%, Asian - 50%
Sex: Male - 36%, Female - 47.2%
Finally, a few questions to be sure we have a good mix of people in our survey:
_____ P12. In what year were you born? 19___
[1. 18-24 2. 25-34 3. 35-44 4. 45-54 5. 55-64 6. 65+]
_____ P13. What was the highest grade in school that you completed?
[1. 0-8th Grade 2. 9-11th Grade 3. 12th Grade 4. 13-15 Some College 5. 16 College Grad 6. 17+ Graduate Education]
_____ P14. Do you consider yourself to be: 1. WHITE 2. BLACK 3. HISPANIC 4. ASIAN 5. OTHER_____________
***** THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION*****
