Problem set # 2

Problems 1 and 3 can be done using SPSS. Show the printed output, including means and plots. The final question is worth 1 point.

1. Your earlier comparison of three energy technologies showed only a borderline effect using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis statistic. This result left you hanging on a decision of which technology to adopt. Thus, you decided to assume that the efficiency variable was measured on an interval scale, allowing you to use a parametric test. Perform the analysis: Does the result change? If so, which of the three technologies is best? If not, what will you decide? Knowing that the earth ship technology is more costly than the others, do the statistical results show that it would be worth the expense?
   Data
   Earth ship (1) Solar (2) Super insulation(3)
   10 8 7
   8 4 5
   6 5 5
   4 4 6
   9 6 4
   7 8 7
   4 2 3
   8 4 6
   6 5 5
   7 4 4
   Following the analysis of the above data, two more cases were added in each category. Do these cases change the finding? If so, how?
   Earth ship Solar Super insulation
   5 5 4
   4 5 5
2. A focused comparison:
   Choose one of the following four problems depending on your area and interest.
   1. What explains why a particular political candidate wins and his/her opponent loses a tightly contested election in upper New York State? (American Politics)
   2. What explains the difference in success in securing contracts between two firms competing for the same market in the same area? (Public Administration)
   3. How do you explain the relative effectiveness of two humanitarian NGOs operating in the same African country? (International Relations)
   4. How do you explain why deforestation occurs at different rates in two areas in the Northwest region of the US? ) (Environmental science)
      In developing your comparison, show how you implement the following six steps:
      . Define the research problem
      . Identify the independent variable (IV)
      . Identify the dependent variables (DVs)
      . Choose the matched cases and specify the criteria used to select them
      . Indicate your strategy for inferring causation between the IV and the DVs
      . What information will be collected to evaluate your research question or hypothesis?
3. The results of a study using focused comparison techniques showed that two independent variables distinguished between successful and unsuccessful negotiations with the US on security issues. These variables were type of political system and relations with the US. The questions raised are: Which variable is stronger? Do the two variables interact. A follow-up study was conducted on a larger sampling of nations. Political systems (variable 1) were of three types: authoritarian, quasi democratic, democratic. Relations (variable 2) were divided into close ties (allies) and tensions (antagonists). The dependent variable was coded on a scale ranging from 1 (history of successful negotiations) to 5 (history of failed negotiations).

Your job is to determine the relative strength of the independent variables – or if they interact. Based on the results, draw conclusions regarding the impact of these variables on negotiation success. The data is as follows (there are 8 nations in each of the six categories):

Political System (Variable 1)

Authoritarian Quasi democratic Democratic

Allies 1 2 3

4 1 2

3 2 2 4 3 3

3 2 3

3 1 1

Relations 2 3 1

(Variable 2) 3 2 1

5 3 3

5 4 4

Antagonists 4 4 3

4 3 3

3 4 4

4 3 3

5 4 2

3 3 3

4. Define the concept of causation.

Price: $20.89

Solution: The downloadable solution consists of 10 pages, 1089 words and 5 charts.
Deliverable: Word Document