Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis

Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis

Name

Institution

Categorical variables present emphasis on the existing association between aspects that are being assessed in the study (Klingenberg, 2016). Chi-square analysis is the most preferred statistical test when assessing the existing association between variables. The dataset that will be considered in this case is the Afrobarometer dataset. The variables that have been identified include region and satisfaction with democracy.

Research question

Is there a statistically significant association between region and satisfaction with democracy?

Null hypothesis

Ho: There is no statistically significant association between region and satisfaction with democracy.

Research design

A cross-sectional research design would be essential in helping understand the relationship between the variables. Region and level of satisfaction with democracy can be obtained at one point when interacting with the participant; hence this design will be appropriate in finding quality data that can help answer the research question (Frankfort-Nachmias & Leon-Guerrero, 2018).

Dependent variable

The dependent variable is satisfaction with democracy. Satisfaction with democracy is a categorical variable that is measured on an ordinal scale.

Independent variable

The independent variable is country by region. The region is categorical that is measured on a nominal scale.

Analysis

A chi-square test for association was conducted to determine whether there was a significant association between region and satisfaction with democracy. The findings showed that at 95%, there was x²(12) = 1072.78, p<0.001. Thus we reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there was a statistically significant association between region and satisfaction with democracy.

The effect size in this is (x²/n)^1/2  

= 1072/48946

= 0.148

The effect size is 0.148

Explaining the findings to lay audience

The findings from the analysis have shown that satisfaction with democracy is related across the different regions that were being assessed. Individuals from different regions tend to have similar outcomes regarding their perception of satisfaction with democracy.

References

Klingenberg, B. (2016). The Chi-squared test. Retrieved from https://istats.shinyapps.io/ChiSquaredTest/

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Leon-Guerrero, A. (2018). Social statistics for a diverse society (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Visvalingam, M. (2020). Chi-square as an alternative to ratios for statistical mapping and analysis.

Barceló, J. A. (2018). Chi‐Square Analysis. The Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences, 1-5.