Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS: Use and Interpretation

SPSS means “Statistical Package for the Social Sciences” and was first launched in 1968. Since SPSS was acquired by IBM in 2009, it’s officially known as IBM SPSS Statistics but most users still just refer to it as “SPSS”. SPSS is software for editing and analyzing all sorts of data. These data may come from basically any source:

Installing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows & Mac

This article covers how to install IBM SPSS Statistics on a PC (Windows) or Mac computer. You can download the trial version or buy the official version at IBM SPSS Statistics. Installing SPSS Statistics (Mac) Installing SPSS Statistics (Windows) A. Installing SPSS Statistics on Mac 1. Double click to extract SPSS_Statistics_xx_mac.dmg. Once your SPSS

Introduction to IBM AMOS SPSS

AMOS is statistical software and it stands for analysis of a moment structures. AMOS is an added SPSS module, and is specially used for Structural Equation Modeling, path analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.  It is also known as analysis of covariance or causal modeling software. AMOS is a visual program for structural equation modeling (SEM). In AMOS, we can draw models graphically

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SPSS Data Editor Window – Quick Overview of User Interface

In SPSS, we usually work from 3 windows. These are: the data editor window, the output viewer window and the syntax editor window. The first main window is the data editor. This is the only window that’s always open when we run SPSS. Right, let’s now download and open bank.sav. We’ll use it for walking you through the

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SPSS Output Viewer Window – Quick Overview of User Interface

In SPSS, we usually work from 3 windows. These are: the data editor window, the output viewer window and the syntax editor window. The second main window is the output viewer window. Right, let’s now download and open bank.sav. We’ll use it for walking you through the main parts of the output viewer. Right. So with our data

SPSS Syntax Editor Window – Quick Overview of User Interface

In SPSS, we usually work from 3 windows. These are: the data editor window, the output viewer window and the syntax editor window. The third main window is the output viewer window. Right, let’s now download and open bank.sav. We’ll use it for walking you through the main parts of the syntax editor. How to paste

SPSS Keyboard Shortcuts

SPSS keyboard shortcuts allow you to work with amazing speed. Some of the best SPSS shortkeys are not obvious at all so we’ll list our 20 favorite SPSS shortkeys in the table below. WHERE SHORTKEY USEFUL FOR Data Editor CTRL + t Switch between data view and variable view. Data Editor CTRL + up / down Go

Preparation before using SPSS: Research Problems and Variables

1. Research Problems The research process begins with an issue or problem of interest to the researcher. This research problem is a statement that asks about the relationships between two or more variables.1 Almost all research studies have more than two variables. Appendix B provides templates to help you phrase your research problem, and

Preparation before using SPSS: Research Hypotheses and Questions

Research hypotheses are predictive statements about the relationship between variables. Research questions are similar to hypotheses, except that they do not entail specific predictions and are phrased in question format. For example, one might have the following research question: “Is there a difference in students’ scores on a standardized test if they took two

Opening and saving SPSS datasets

This post outlines all the possible ways to open and save datasets in SPSS, that works similarly to those tasks in other computer applications. There are a few differences. Let’s have a quick look at how we can do it in SPSS. In practice, a SPSS dataset can be opened in a variety of

SPSS Tutorials: Data Creation in SPSS

1. Data Creation in SPSS When you open the SPSS program, you will see a blank spreadsheet in Data View. If you already have another dataset open but want to create a new one, click File > New > Data to open a blank spreadsheet. You will notice that each of the columns is labeled “var.” The column

SPSS Tutorials: Variable Types

A variable’s type determines if a variable numeric or character, quantitative or qualitative. It also dictates what type of statistical analysis methods are appropriate for that data. This tutorial covers the variable types that SPSS recognizes. Variable Types In order for your data analysis to be accurate, it is imperative that you correctly identify

SPSS Tutorials: Date-Time Variables in SPSS

This tutorial covers how SPSS treats Date-Time variables, and how to use the Date & Time Wizard to create and compute variables using dates and times. 1. Working with Dates and Times in SPSS Datasets often include variables that denote dates or time. Thus, it is important to know how SPSS treats and works

Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS: Plan the Study, Pilot Test, and Collect Data

Plan the study. The research starts with identification of a research problem and research questions or hypotheses. It is also necessary to plan the research design before you select the data collection instrument(s) and begin to collect data. Most research methods books discuss this part of the research process extensively (e.g., see Gliner, Morgan,

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Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS: Code Data for Data Entry

1. Guidelines for Data Coding Coding is the process of assigning numbers to the values or levels of each variable. Before starting the coding process, we want to present some broad suggestions or rules to keep in mind as you proceed. These suggestions are adapted from rules proposed in Newton and Rudestam’s (1999) useful

Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS – Problem 2.1: Check the Completed Questionnaires

Now examine the incomplete, unclear, or double answers in questionnaire. Stop and do this now, before proceeding. What issues did you see? The researcher needs to make rules about how to handle these problems and note them on the questionnaires or on a master “coding instructions” sheet so that the same rules are used

Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS – Problem 2.2: Define and Label the Variables

The next step is to create a data file into which you will enter the data. If you do not have the program open, you need to log on. When you see the startup window, click the Type in data button; then you should see a blank Data Editor that will look something like

Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS – Problem 2.3: Display Your Dictionary or Codebook

Now that you have defined and labeled your variables, you can print a codebook or dictionary of your variables. It is a very useful record of what you have done. Notice that the information in the codebook is essentially the same as that in the variable view  so you do not really have to

Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS – Problem 2.4: Enter Data

After defining and labeling the variables, your next task is to enter the data directly from the questionnaires or from a data entry form. Sometimes researchers transfer the data from the questionnaires to a data entry form (like Table 2.1) by hand before entering the data into SPSS. This may be helpful if the questionnaires

Data Coding, Entry, and Checking in SPSS – Problem 2.5: Run Descriptives and Check the Data

In order to get a better “feel” for the data and to check for other types of errors or problems on the questionnaires, we recommend that you run the statistics program called Descriptives. To compute basic descriptive statistics for all your subjects, you will need to do these steps: Select Analyze  → Descriptive Statistics