Using SPSS for Windows

This book is a self-teaching guide to the SPSS for Windows computer application. It is designed to be used with SPSS version 13.0, although many of the procedures are also applicable to earlier versions of SPSS. The step-by-step format of this manual “walks” the reader through numerous examples, illustrating how to use the application. The results produced in SPSS are shown and discussed in most examples. Each chapter demonstrates statistical procedures and provides exercises to reinforce the text examples. This book may be used in two ways – as a stand-alone manual for a student learning to use SPSS for Windows or in a course together with a basic statistics text. As a stand-alone manual, it is assumed that the reader is familiar with the basic ideas of quantitative data and statistical analysis. Thus, statistical terminology is used without providing extensive definitions. Most of the applications in this book are self-explanatory, although the reader will need to refer to a text for extensive discussion of statistical theory and procedures.

The second edition of this popular guide demonstrates the process of entering and analyzing data using the latest version of SPSS (12.0), and is also appropriate for those using earlier versions of SPSS. The book is easy to follow because all procedures are outlined in a step-by-step format designed for the novice user. Students are introduced to the rationale of statistical tests and detailed explanations of results are given through clearly annotated examples of SPSS output. Topics covered range from descriptive statistics through multiple regression analysis. In addition, this guide includes topics not typically covered in other books such as probability theory, interaction effects in analysis of variance, factor analysis, and scale reliability. Chapter exercises reinforce the text examples and may be performed for further practice, for homework assignments, or in computer laboratory sessions.

This book can be used in two ways: as a stand-alone manual for students wishing to learn data analysis techniques using SPSS for Windows, or in research and statistics courses to be used with a basic statistics text. The book provides hands-on experience with actual data sets, helps students choose appropriate statistical tests, illustrates the meaning of results, and provides exercises to be completed for further practice or as homework assignments.

Instructions are provided for using the World Wide Web to obtain the data sets to be analyzed. With this guide, students learn how to conduct reasonably sophisticated statistical analyses using SPSS while gaining insight into the nature and purpose of statistical investigation.

Susan B. Gerber, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Education at State University of New York at Buffalo. She is director of the Educational Technology program and holds degrees in Statistics and Educational Psychology.

Kristin Voelkl Finn, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Education at Canisius College. She teaches graduate courses in research methodology and conducts research on adolescent problem behavior.