Using SPSS Syntax: A Beginner's Guide

SPSS syntax is the command language used by SPSS to carry out all of its commands and functions. Jacqueline Collier′s book is primarily aimed at people who have never used the syntax option in SPSS, or have just started to use it.

This is an introductory text designed to show readers how to try using syntax themselves and to then support them through its use. It is ideal for those who are experienced in using SPSS through the usual button menu-driven graphical interface (GIF), but who are novices regarding syntax.

This book supports the use of SPSS syntax in addition to the usual button and menu-driven graphical interface (GIF) using the two methods together, in a complementary way. The book is written in such a way as to enable you to pick and choose how much you rely on one method over the other, encouraging you to use them side-by-side, with a gradual increase in use of syntax as the knowledge, skills and confidence develop.

The text outlines:

• how to become familiar with the syntax commands through the use of the log
• how to create and manage the SPSS journal and syntax files
• how to use them throughout the data entry, management and analysis process.

Collier covers all aspects of data management from data entry through to data analysis and even includes managing the errors and the error messages created by SPSS. Syntax commands are presented with explanations of what each of the lines contributes and the value of syntax is clearly demonstrated through examples and explanation of their use.

This book is of great benefit for all those carrying out quantitative research in the health and social sciences, who can benefit from SPSS syntax′s capacity to save time, reduce errors, allow a data audit trail and, perhaps best of all, which will not actually require any initial knowledge of programming.

′This is a welcome addition to the available textbooks. I believe Jacqueline′s text will prove to be very useful to the many researchers, students, and other professional SPSS syntax users′ Assess