Stephen Franklin EDUC 780: Quantitative Result Section Paper March 6, 2016

SPSS Data Set Used: Employee Data Outliers

Introduction
This assignment required the use of one of three SPSS datasets, or the utilization of your
own dataset with prior approval. For this assignment the dataset Employee Data Outliers was
utilized, three specific data analysis tests were run to examine Pearsons r correlation, Simple
Regression and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). For each test alternative hypotheses were
proposed, along with relevant statistics, constructs, and finally statements indicating if the
hypothesis was accepted or rejected.
Pearsons R Correlation
For this test my hypothesis examined the association between employees education level
and beginning salary. Table 1 reflects the descriptives for these constructs, highlighting the
means and standard deviation for both constructs.
Table 1
Correlation of
Constructs
Education Level
Beginning Salary

Mean

Standard Deviation

13.49
$17,016.09

2.885
$7,870.638

474
474

Results: The sample had 474 participants. Correlation of constructs of interest are
presented in table 1. The average years of education was 13.49 (SD=2.88) while the average
beginning salary was $17,016.09 (SD= $7,870.63). Education level and beginning salary were
correlated (r = 0.63, p 0.00) indication of a significant association. The hypothesis was
supported (r = 0.06, p = 0.00), thus beginning salary explained 0.36 % of the variance in
education levels. The effect size was moderate at 36%.
1

Simple Regression

For this test of the constructs my hypothesis stated that education level predicts beginning
salary. Table 2 reflects the descriptives for these constructs, highlighting the means and standard
deviations for both constructs.
Table 2
Regression Descriptors
Beginning Salary
Education Level

Mean
$17,016.09
13.49

Standard Deviation
$7,870.638
2.885

N
474
474

Results: The sample had 474 participants. Descriptors are presented in table 2. The
hypothesis is supported (R = 0.63, R2 = 0.40, Adj. R2 = 0.40, F = 315.89, p = 0.00). The
unstandardized regression equation is: -6290.96 + 1727.52 * (years of education) = beginning
salary in z units. This means the effect size at 40% was moderate.
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

For this test of the constructs my hypothesis stated that education levels will differ by job
category. Table 3 reflects the descriptives for these constructs, highlighting the means and
standard deviations for both constructs.

Table 3
ANOVA Descriptors
Clerical
Custodian
Manager
Total

Education Level (in years)

Mean
12.87
10.19
17..25
13.49
2

Standard Deviation
2.33
2.21
1.61
2.88

Results: The level of education differs by job category (clerical, custodian, manager).
Post hoc analysis will be examined for individual group differences. The sample had 474
participants of which 363 were clerical, 27 (5%) were custodial, and 84 (17%) were managers.

Discussion

For this assignment three data analysis tests, Pearsons r, Simple Regression and ANOVA
were run to determine correlations, predictability and realtionships between the constructs of
education level and beginning salary. Test results found that levels of education of education did
affect the beginning salary of the different job categories, but only by a moderate amount when
looking at the standard deviation of 2.88. The mean education level for all job categories was
13.49; with custodians reflecting high school completion or less, clerical some education beyond
high school, and managers having completed at least a Bachelors degree. The deviation in
beginning salary was moderate, with an overall SD of 2.88 or $7,870. 63