SOC-2125 Lab Assignment #3: The Normal Distribution Question

1: Generate histograms to assess the shape of the distribution and measure of central tendency that best describes each of the variables indicated. Describe the shape of the distribution (approximately normal, positively skewed, or negatively skewed) ( mark each) and provide the one measure of central tendency that would best describe the distribution (mean, median, or mode). ( mark each)

a. Age (age).

b. Educational difference between respondents and their spouses (educdiff).

c. Marital status (marital).

d. Whether the respondent likes or dislikes opera (opera).

e. Labor force status (wrkstat).

f. Age at which respondents were married (agewed).

g. Astrological sign (zodiac).

Question 2:

A. What is an asymmetrical distribution? Be sure to include a description of positively and negatively skewed distributions. (1marks)

b. Why do we use different measures of central tendency to describe the different types of distributions? (1 mark)

c. Why is the median a better measure of central tendency when a distribution is skewed? ( mark