What This Document Is
This document, “Getting Started with Your Data,” is a worksheet assignment for students in Oakland University’s Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1000) course. It’s designed to prepare students for a final archival data research project using data from the General Social Survey (GSS). The assignment introduces three fictional research assistants to guide students through the initial stages of the project.
Why This Document Matters
This assignment is crucial for students enrolled in PSY 1000 who are undertaking the final archival data project. It provides a structured starting point for variable selection, data download, and initial data cleaning—all essential steps before conducting analysis. It’s used early in the course to build foundational skills and confidence.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document *only* provides the initial setup for the larger research project. It does not offer instruction on statistical analysis, research methodologies, or the interpretation of results. Students will need further resources and instruction to complete the final assessment.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes: an overview of the archival data project using GSS data, introductions to three fictional research assistants, a table for selecting variables from provided lists (RACLIVE, HAPPY, NEWS, LIFE, WWWHEBE, MNTLHLTH, DEPRESS), instructions for downloading the 2018 GSS data in Excel format, and a note that the data has been pre-cleaned. This preview only describes the document’s purpose and contents; it does not include the actual data or completed worksheet sections.
