Whats a codebook?
A source book that should be included with every data set (including your own, so prepare one) that tells you what the variables were, how they were measured or defined, and what were the values that they could take on. Babbie and Halley give you part of a codebook on pp. 19-21. You would need to supplement this within the SPSS program by clicking on Utilities ->Variables -> choice of a variable from the list of variables in the left frame. Then you will see the various values the researchers allowed for that variable. Most important thing to remember: Choice are made by the researcher at every level of this process. There is no objective world in which research decisions are made neutrally by people uninfluenced by theory and situatedness. Nota bene: This statement reflects Jeanne’s beliefs as a postmodernist. Jeanne is not without situation and subjectivity either. • What’s a valid percentage? A percentage that is calculated using only those respondents who actually answered the ques
