SPSS is a “predictive analytics software” that allows its users to analyze statistical data in order to make informed decisions regarding gathered information (SPSS Software, 2014). The information may be used to answer specific questions regarding the statistical breakdown of data, among other things. In order to indicate a knowledge of the best method that may be used for analysis within this program, a data set has been provided with the responsibility placed on the researcher to determine, based on this information, an answer to the question: “Is gender associated with individuals thinking of themselves as liberals or conservatives?”

In order to analyze the data set provided, it first becomes necessary to determine the most appropriate statistical test to use in order to obtain this information. Based on the type of data contained within the data set and the question being asked, it was determined that the most ideal method of analysis for this particular task was that of logistic regression. Logistic regression allows for the analysis of binary dependent variables also identified as variables with two or more categories (Logistic Regression, n.d.). As the different categories identified for analysis of the data set are gender, which has two categories of its own – male and female, and political affiliation – liberal or conservative, it is this process of analysis that makes the most sense in order to obtain a determination on the answer to the question.

Given that there are just two values associated with the dependent variable, the potential prediction of the probability of the answer being positive is slightly more complex than it would be if there were more than two variables or if there was only a single variable present as this type of analysis works to predict a probability of occurrence, something that would be easier to do with an alternative number of dependent variables (Logistic Regression, n.d.).

Certain gender traits are associated with more conservative viewpoints, with the adverse likewise true. These traits in and of themselves do not necessarily mean that one gender or the other will automatically associate with either a liberal or conservative background however. When completing the data analysis using SPSS, the results were remarkably uniform with males and females both less likely to be liberal and more likely to be conservative. The sample data set showed 44.9% of respondents were male and 55.1% of respondents were female. Analysis indicated that a comparative number of males and females were conservative; a comparative number of males and females were moderate, or somewhere in the middle on their political viewpoints; and a comparative number of males and females were identified as liberal.

It was determined that gender of the individual did not play a role in determining whether or not an individual had a particular party affiliation. A chi-square test was performed and no association was found between gender and thinking of self as liberal or conservative, X2 (6, N-1,874) = 4.828, p. = .57.

Through the use of statistical analysis it was possible to determine that gender did not have an effect on whether or not an individual had certain political views; it is important to note, however, that there is a difference between analyzed data and perceived data. Results indicated that while there was no true difference regarding the actual application of gender to the individual’s political views, that a slightly larger percentage of men are likely to identify themselves as conservative, while a larger percentage of women are likely to identify as liberal (Wagner & Halley, 2010).