Assignment #3 – Using SPSS to Analyze Health Data
PH 490A
Spring 2020
Assignment #3 – Using SPSS to Analyze Health Data
Due: Friday, May 1, 2020, 4:00 PM
To complete this assignment, you will need the following files:
a) OSHPD Data File
b) OSHPD Documentation
c) CA County Codes
All the necessary files can be found on Blackboard in the SPSS Assignment folder on the “Assignments”
tab. You will be working independently for this assignment.
Copy results from your SPSS output file into a Word document. (Add your answers and output to this
document.) All answers should be in complete sentences; it is NOT sufficient to paste the results into
Word without specifically answering the question unless otherwise noted. Statistical tests must include
complete interpretations along with the SPSS output.
You must include the log that describes the recoding of all variables needing to be recoded and all
information on the work you have completed to answer the questions. Your SPSS data file (.sav)
should match your answers. (In other words, I should be able to run the analyses from your SPSS file and
get the same results you report.) You are required to type the values into the variable view of the SPSS
file for all variables that you use, including those you recode; your interpretations must use the category
names and not simply the codes used in SPSS. (For counties, you only need to type in county names for
the values you will use.)
Name the file as follows: MyLastName_Assign3.docx, where you replace MyLastName with your name.
Upload this Word document (please type your name at the top of the Word document) and your SPSS
data file (.sav file) with your last name as part of the file name to Blackboard in the SPSS Assignment
folder under the “Assignments” tab.
Read the directions for each question carefully.
1.
Using the “disp” variable, answer the following questions:
a. What percent of all patients was discharged to another department within the hospital?
b. What percent of all patients was discharged to another hospital?
HINT: You will need to recode the “disp” variable.
2.
What percent of patients had a payer category of traditional coverage? (Recode “pay_type” to make
the value “0” missing.)
3.
Recode the variable “charges” so that charges of “0” and “1” are made system missing; all other
charges should remain the same. Name this variable “NewChg.” Run frequencies on both the
original and new charges variables. Paste the “Statistics” table (do NOT paste the frequency
tables) showing the number of valid and missing cases for the old and new variables into your
homework. (No sentence required.)
4.
Is there a difference in charges (use the “NewChg” variable) between Orange, San Bernadino, and
San Diego Counties?
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PH 490A
Spring 2020
5.
Using the new variable for length of stay (NewLOS), is there a difference in total length of stay
between patients in Los Angeles and Orange Counties? (Before running this analysis, recode the
variable “los” so that length of stay [los] of “0” equals 1; name this variable “NewLOS.” All other
“los” should remain the same.)
6.
Using all cases, is there a relationship between age (in years), charges, and length of stay? Use the
variables age_years, NewLOS, and NewChg.