Sociology Term paper

Surname
Instructor
Course
Date
Survey Questions Analysis Memo
Q 1 Mobility Are you currently able to walk for more than 10 feet?
In this question, the researcher intends to establish whether the interviewee can make it to ten feet walking. The data, in this case, will be a simple yes or no and will, therefore, be an interval. One can be able to walk anywhere between 1 – 10 feet, or more. The length will be able to show the level of mobility of the individual.
The normal measures of the central interval will be the median, mode and mean. The mean will be used to establish the average distance that the interviewees are able to walk. In terms of the median, it will be a fairer representation of how far the individuals are able to walk. The mode will show the distance most individuals are able to walk. Of all these measures, the mode will be able to show the distance that most are actually able to walk.
In measuring the variation, the range will be one of the most important measures. Using the range, it will be possible to map out the outliers, the main ranges, and other relevant information. Another measure of variation is quartile. The quartile measure is used to show the ranges where the data is mostly concentrated on ( Norman, and Streiner ). It is used in conjunction with the inter-quartile measure, for the same purpose. In addition to this is the variance. Variance shows how data is distributed across the said range.
For the data, a data distribution schedule can be shown as below:
Interviewee Distance
A 5
B 0
C 10
D 15
E 5
F 0
G 5
H 7
I 9
J 10

The question is an important indicator of the health of the patients, as far as their mobility is concerned. In addition, the question gives a representation of the data distribution among the interviewees. The data moves beyond supplying labels and is quantifiable.
Would you say that in general, your health is excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?
The question, in this case, attempts to collect data which is nominal. When the question is posed, the expected responses will range from excellent, very good, good, fair and poor. The measures of central tendency used will be average (mean) and median. On average, the data collected will place the individuals in specific groups based on their perceptions of their health status( Norman, and Streiner ). The median will show the range in which most of the interviewees will fall under. The mode will show the range or status in which the individuals perceive their health.
The measures of variation in use will be minimal, due to the type of data in play. However, the range will still be used, to show the classes under which individuals fall under. This will eventually show whether people consider themselves healthy or not healthy, or any of the intervening ranges. The quartiles as well inter-quartiles will not be relevant in the class of data under review.
Excellent very good good Fair poor
1 3 2 1 3

From the data presented, it is easy to classify the responses using the measures of central tendency as well as the variation. However, not all are possible, due to the limitations that the data presents, in its nature as nominal data ( Norman, and Streiner ). The data being surveyed in this case only serves to give labels to the conditions. However, it does not give a quantifiable result.
Work Cited
Norman, G., Streiner, D. (2008). Biostatistics: The Bare Essentials. Ontario: BC Becker.