Short Answer

A psychology researcher is compiling a data file and needs to code the categorical variable 'Smoking Status' (with categories 'Smoker' and 'Non-Smoker') for a software program that requires numerical data for analysis. Show how the researcher should enter this variable using numerical codes, and explain why this entry method is necessary.

Question: A psychology researcher is compiling a data file and needs to code the categorical variable 'Smoking Status' (with categories 'Smoker' and 'Non-Smoker') for a software program that requires numerical data for analysis. Show how the researcher should enter this variable using numerical codes, and explain why this entry method is necessary.

Sample answer: The researcher should enter the variable using numerical codes, such as entering 11 for 'Smoker' and 00 for 'Non-Smoker'. This numerical entry is necessary because certain statistical analyses cannot process text-based category labels and require numerical data to run.

Key points:

  • Assign distinct numerical codes (like 00 and 11) to the categories.
  • State that the numerical entry is required for statistical analyses that need numerical data.

Rubric: The response must apply numerical coding by assigning specific numbers (e.g., 00 and 11) to 'Smoker' and 'Non-Smoker', and state that this is necessary because some statistical analyses require numerical data.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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