READ ME File For 'The Death Positivity Bias: Robustness and Explanations DATA' Dataset DOI: 10.5258/SOTON/D3757 ReadMe Author: LUKE CHANDAMAN, University of Southampton ORCID: 0009-0007-4024-1502 This dataset supports the thesis entitled AWARDED BY: University of Southampton DATE OF AWARD: 2025 Date of data collection: 07/04/2021 to 01/01/2025 Information about geographic location of data collection: Collected using student research participation portals at the University of Southampton (SONA and it's ancestor system), as well as PROLIFIC (https://www.prolific.com/) for national dissemination. Licence: CC-BY Related projects/Funders: N/A -------------------- DATA & FILE OVERVIEW -------------------- This dataset contains: Thesis_Data.zip > THESIS - STUDY 1 DATA.sav > THESIS - STUDY 2 DATA.sav > THESIS - STUDY 3 DATA.sav > THESIS - STUDY 4 DATA.sav > THESIS - STUDY 5 DATA.sav > THESIS - STUDY 6 DATA.sav > THESIS - STUDY 7 DATA.sav Relationship between files, if important for context: Each data file corresponds to same numbered study in my thesis manuscript titled 'The Death Positivity Bias: Robustness and Explanations' Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package: N/A If data was derived from another source, list source: N/A If there are there multiple versions of the dataset, list the file updated, when and why update was made: N/A -------------------------- METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION -------------------------- Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: Data was collected using either the current University of Southampton student research participation portal or PROLIFIC (https://www.prolific.com/) Methods for processing the data: Data was downloaded in CSV format and then cleaned (correcting column titles and removing duplicates) before import into SPSS. After import into SPSS scale averages were produced using SPSS SYNTAX to compute new variables using item level averages and participants were screened according to preregistered criteria (usually removal was based on responses indicating non-engagement, significant missing data, or failing study manipulation checkts). Software- or Instrument-specific information needed to interpret the data, including software and hardware version numbers: Any modern version of SPSS should suffice. Standards and calibration information, if appropriate: N/A Environmental/experimental conditions: Participants engaged with experiment material via computer. Either a work, university, or personal computer. Describe any quality-assurance procedures performed on the data: As previously mentioned, data was screened for engagement, completeness, and comprehension through analysis of response time, response volume, manipulation check correctness, and self-reported engagement. People involved with sample collection, processing, analysis and/or submission: Luke Chandaman -------------------------- DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION -------------------------- THESIS - STUDY 1 DATA.sav Number of variables: 151 Number of cases/rows: 199 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether a fictional target 'Ella' is appraised differently on Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, an Overall Composite, and several ancillary measures, depending on whether she is dead or alive. See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: April, 2025 THESIS - STUDY 2 DATA.sav Number of variables: 79 Number of cases/rows: 175 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether fictional targets 'Sam' or 'Alex' are appraised differently on Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, an Overall Composite, and several ancillary measures, depending on whether they are dead or alive. See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: April, 2025 THESIS - STUDY 3 DATA.sav Number of variables: 54 Number of cases/rows: 327 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether fictional targets 'Sam' or 'Angel' are appraised differently on Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, and an Overall Composite, depending on whether they are dead or alive. Additionally it examines the effect of group membership, with Sam being British and Angel being Andorran (a neutral reference outgroup to British participants.) See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: April, 2025 THESIS - STUDY 4 DATA.sav Number of variables: 49 Number of cases/rows: 161 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether fictional targets 'Sam' or 'Alexei/Alexina' are appraised differently on Warmth, Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, and an Overall Composite, depending on whether they are dead or alive. Additionally it examines the effect of group membership, with Sam being British and Alexei/Alexina being Russian (an antagonistic reference outgroup to British participants.) See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: February, 2025 THESIS - STUDY 5 DATA.sav Number of variables: 65 Number of cases/rows: 148 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether fictional targets 'Sam' or 'Alex' are appraised differently on Warmth, Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, and an Overall Composite, depending on whether they are dead or alive, and whether this is moderated by Social Norm Espousal. See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: May, 2025 THESIS - STUDY 6 DATA.sav Number of variables: 46 Number of cases/rows: 155 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether fictional targets 'Sam' or 'Alex' are appraised differently on Warmth, Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, and an Overall Composite, depending on whether they are dead or alive, and whether the DPB is moderated by exposure to explicitly framed social norms. See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: May, 2025 THESIS - STUDY 7 DATA.sav Number of variables: 53 Number of cases/rows: 719 Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used: This study examines whether fictional targets 'Sam' or 'Alex' are appraised differently on Warmth, Liking, Competence, Morality, Respect, and an Overall Composite, depending on whether they are dead or alive, and whether the DPB is shaped by communication goals. See the appropriate Ethics Form for the full experimental procedure. Missing data codes: N/A Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: N/A Date that the file was created: May, 2025 --------------