Lab Assignments
KIN 610: Quantitative Analysis of Research in Kinesiology
Lab Assignments
Purpose
Lab assignments are the primary vehicle for applying statistical concepts and procedures covered in this course. Through hands-on practice with SPSS and real datasets, you’ll develop essential skills in data analysis, statistical reasoning, and results interpretation. Labs bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing you to conduct your own research and analyze data in professional settings.
Each lab focuses on specific statistical procedures and provides opportunities to:
- Apply concepts from readings and lectures to real data
- Practice using SPSS to conduct statistical analyses
- Interpret statistical output and draw conclusions
- Communicate results in proper APA format
- Develop critical thinking about research design and data analysis
- Build confidence in your data analysis skills
Lab Structure
While each lab is unique and focuses on different statistical procedures, all labs share common elements:
Common Components
Dataset: Each lab provides a dataset (or instructions for creating one) that you’ll analyze using SPSS
Research Questions: Labs present specific research questions that guide your analysis
Step-by-Step Instructions: Detailed procedures for conducting the required analyses in SPSS
Analysis Requirements: Specific statistical tests, calculations, or visualizations you must complete
Interpretation Questions: Questions that require you to interpret your results and explain what they mean
APA Reporting: Practice writing results in proper APA format, as required in research publications
What Makes Each Lab Different
Each lab targets different statistical procedures and concepts:
- Lab focus varies by topic (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression)
- Complexity increases as the semester progresses
- Dataset characteristics differ based on the research questions
- Number of analyses varies depending on the procedure
- Interpretation depth builds throughout the course
Detailed instructions for each lab will be provided separately on the course website and in Canvas. Those instructions will specify the exact requirements, due dates, and submission procedures for that particular lab.
General Expectations
What You’ll Submit
For most labs, you will submit:
- SPSS Output: Relevant tables, charts, and statistical results
- Written Responses: Answers to interpretation questions
- APA-Formatted Results: Properly written results sections
- Calculations (when required): Hand calculations or work shown in Excel/by hand
- Data Files (occasionally): Your SPSS data file with completed analyses
How to Approach Each Lab
Step 1: Read Carefully
- Review the entire lab before starting any analyses
- Understand what research questions you’re addressing
- Identify which statistical procedures are required
- Note all submission requirements
Step 2: Prepare Your Data
- Download or create the dataset as instructed
- Verify your data are entered correctly
- Check for any data cleaning or transformation requirements
Step 3: Conduct Analyses
- Follow SPSS instructions step-by-step
- Run required statistical tests
- Create any requested visualizations
- Save your SPSS output
Step 4: Interpret Results
- Answer all interpretation questions thoroughly
- Explain what your statistical results mean in practical terms
- Connect findings back to the research questions
- Consider assumptions and limitations
Step 5: Write APA Results
- Report statistical findings in proper APA format
- Include all required elements (test statistic, df, p-value, effect size)
- Write clearly and concisely
Step 6: Review and Submit
- Check that you’ve completed all requirements
- Proofread your written responses
- Ensure all files are properly labeled
- Submit by the deadline
Grading
Lab assignments are worth 25% of your final course grade, making them the largest single component of your grade besides exams.
General Grading Criteria
While specific rubrics vary by lab, most labs are evaluated on:
Accuracy of Analyses (40%)
- Correct statistical procedures performed
- Appropriate use of SPSS
- Accurate output and results
- Proper data handling and transformations
Interpretation & Understanding (30%)
- Correct interpretation of statistical results
- Appropriate conclusions based on findings
- Understanding of statistical concepts demonstrated
- Connections made to research questions
APA Reporting (20%)
- Proper APA format for statistical results
- All required elements included
- Clear and professional writing
- Appropriate statistical notation
Completeness & Presentation (10%)
- All questions answered
- All required analyses completed
- Well-organized submission
- Files properly labeled
Labs are subject to the course late assignment policy: 5% deduction per day late, up to 4 days. After 4 days, labs will not be accepted. Plan ahead and submit on time!
Submission Guidelines
General Format
Unless otherwise specified in individual lab instructions:
File Format:
- SPSS output: PDF or Word document with pasted output
- Written responses: Word document or PDF
- Data files: .sav (SPSS format) when required
File Naming:
- Use clear, descriptive names:
Lab3_YourLastName.pdf - Keep files organized and easy to identify
Submission Location:
- Submit through Canvas assignments
- Check each lab’s specific submission link
- Confirm successful upload before the deadline
What to Include
SPSS Output:
- Include only relevant tables and charts (not everything SPSS produces)
- Highlight or annotate key statistics when helpful
- Ensure output is readable (not cut off or too small)
Written Responses:
- Number your answers to match the questions
- Write in complete sentences
- Show your work for calculations
- Explain your reasoning clearly
Organization:
- Present materials in a logical order
- Use headers or labels to organize sections
- Make it easy for the grader to find each component
Academic Integrity
You are allowed to discuss labs with other students and the instructor, but you must write your final answers in your own words.
Allowed:
- ✅ Discussing statistical concepts with classmates
- ✅ Helping each other troubleshoot SPSS procedures
- ✅ Comparing results to verify you did analyses correctly
- ✅ Asking the instructor for help or clarification
- ✅ Using course materials, textbook, and notes
Not Allowed:
- ❌ Copying someone else’s written responses
- ❌ Submitting someone else’s SPSS output as your own
- ❌ Working “in committee” to write answers together
- ❌ Paraphrasing another student’s interpretations without understanding
- ❌ Using AI to write your interpretations and explanations
Solutions prepared “in committee” or by copying/paraphrasing someone else’s work are not acceptable. Your submissions must represent YOUR thoughts and YOUR understanding.
About Using AI
While AI tools can help you understand statistical concepts, using AI to complete your lab assignments defeats the purpose of the learning experience. The goal is for YOU to:
- Develop hands-on skills with SPSS
- Practice interpreting real statistical output
- Build your own understanding through application
- Learn to communicate results in your own words
Using AI to write your lab responses:
- Prevents you from developing critical analysis skills
- Leads to superficial understanding
- Won’t help you on exams (where you can’t use AI)
- May result in interpretations that don’t match your actual output
- Constitutes academic dishonesty
What you CAN do: Use AI to understand a concept better, then close the AI tool and write your lab responses based on YOUR understanding of YOUR results.
Tips for Success
General Strategies
Start Early
- Don’t wait until the last minute to start labs
- Give yourself time to troubleshoot technical issues
- Allow time to ask questions if you get stuck
Use Resources
- Refer to the Statistics for Movement Science eBook for statistical concepts and SPSS guidance
- Review relevant textbook chapters
- Watch assigned video tutorials
- Consult your ePortfolio and Major Takeaways
- Attend office hours when you need help
Check Your Work
- Verify your results make sense (no impossible values)
- Review assumption checks before interpreting results
- Double-check APA format against examples
- Proofread written responses
Learn From Feedback
- Review instructor comments on returned labs
- Apply feedback to subsequent labs
- Ask for clarification on comments you don’t understand
SPSS Tips
- Save your work frequently: SPSS can crash unexpectedly
- Use variable labels: Make output easier to read
- Keep syntax (when provided): Helps you learn and troubleshoot
- Organize your output: Delete unnecessary tables before copying to your document
- Export cleanly: Paste output as images or tables, not screenshots of your screen
Writing Tips
- Be specific: Don’t just say “there was a significant difference”—explain what and how much
- Use context: Connect statistical results back to the research question and variables
- Avoid jargon: Explain results so a non-statistician could understand
- Be concise: Answer fully but don’t ramble
- Proofread: Check for typos and unclear sentences
How Labs Relate to Other Assignments
Labs are connected to other course components:
Readings & Quizzes → Introduce statistical concepts you’ll apply in labs
Major Takeaways → Help you identify key concepts before applying them
Class Sessions → Demonstrate procedures and clarify concepts for labs
Labs → Provide hands-on practice applying concepts to real data
ePortfolio → Document procedures and examples from labs for future reference
Exams → Test deeper understanding of concepts practiced in labs
Treat labs as learning opportunities, not just graded work. The skills you practice in labs directly prepare you for exams and future research work. Take them seriously and learn from each one!
Common Questions
You can discuss concepts and procedures, but all written work must be your own. See the Academic Integrity section above.
Contact the instructor immediately. Don’t wait until the deadline. Use office hours for help troubleshooting.
No! Include only the relevant tables and charts. Delete unnecessary output to keep your submission clean and focused.
Detailed enough to show you understand what the results mean. Explain in practical terms, not just statistical jargon.
That’s okay! Science often produces unexpected results. Interpret what you actually found, not what you think you should have found.
Yes, but be careful with online resources—not all are accurate. When in doubt, stick with course materials or ask the instructor.
If you catch it before the deadline, fix it and resubmit. If caught after grading, learn from the feedback for next time.
Generally yes, depending on the specific lab. Attempting all parts of the lab is better than leaving sections blank.
Getting Help
If you’re struggling with a lab:
- Review course materials: Textbook, eBook, videos, class notes
- Check your ePortfolio: Look for similar examples you’ve documented
- Post questions in Canvas: Other students may have the same question
- Attend office hours: Get individualized help from the instructor
- Ask during class: If many students are struggling, we can review as a group
- IT Help Center: For technical SPSS or Canvas issues (818-677-1400)
Don’t wait until the last minute to seek help! Issues are much easier to resolve when there’s time before the deadline.
Summary
Lab assignments are essential for: - Applying statistical knowledge to real data - Developing practical SPSS skills - Building confidence in data analysis - Practicing professional reporting of results - Preparing for exams and future research
Approach labs as opportunities to learn and practice, not just as assignments to complete. The skills you develop through labs will serve you throughout your academic and professional career. Take your time, ask questions, and focus on genuine understanding rather than just getting the “right answer.”
Remember: Labs are where theory meets practice. The more effort you put into understanding each lab, the more prepared you’ll be for exams and for conducting your own research. Make the most of these learning opportunities!