How to Use SPSS: A Step-By-Step Guide to Analysis and Interpretation

by Brian C. Cronk

- Designed for use by novice computer users, this text begins with the basics, such as starting SPSS, defining variables, and entering and saving data. - All major statistical techniques covered in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1884585426
• ISBN13: 9781884585425
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 114 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Supplement to My Research Textbooks

How to use SPSS is an illustrated step-by-step guide to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences data analysis software program. Throughout the book, Cronk uses screen shots to illustrate each step. This book is an excellent supplement to data analysis textbooks that include using the SPSS program, or this book may be used alone as a guide through the data analysis and write-up process. Examples of write-ups for both significant and non-significant results are presented for each type of data analysis procedure (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, MANOVA). The following is a chapter-by-chapter synopsis of Cronk's book. At the time of this review, the book in hand was Cronk's fourth edition. Perhaps this review will help you in your decision-making process of whether to buy the book. A diagram on the inside of the front cover can be used as a visual guide to help select the best analysis procedure based on the research criteria (e.g., differences in groups, prediction, one dependent variable, parametric or non-parametric). In Chapter 1, Cronk explains how to define variables and value labels, enter data, run an analysis, and view and print output files. Also presented is how to modify data by adding cases or variables. In Chapter 2, Cronk expands on how to enter and modify data. Mentioned are the four measurement scales (nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio) and how the data screen looks when data are missing. Cronk also demonstrates how to select cases. For example, if data were entered for four teachers (Teachers 1, 2, 3, & 4) and the researcher wanted to only analyze data for Teacher 2, then only Teacher 2's data could be selected. Also presented is how to compute a new variable. For example, if Teacher 1 gave students four quizzes, then these four quizzes (Q1, Q2, Q3, & Q4) could be combined to form a new composite variable. How to recode variables is also explained. For example, in surveys, some items could be stated positively (e.g., I like sports) and some items could be stated negatively (e.g., I dislike pizza). By recoding variables, the researcher can reverse the responses (e.g., 1 would change to 5, 2 would change to 4, 3 would change to 3, 4 would change to 2, and 5 would change to 1). By doing this, all variables could be analyzed on the same scale or similar items could be combined into composite variables. In Chapter 3, Cronk explains how to perform descriptive statistics to calculate the mean, standard deviation, skew, and percentile rank. Also presented is how to run the Crosstabs command and read the output table. Comparing mean scores for multiple groups and for more than one independent variable is also presented. Cronk illustrates how to transform scores from different scales to z-scores for comparison, which is accomplished through the descriptive command. In Chapter 4, Cronk explains how to graph data. The first part of the chapter begins with how to edit graphs. Cronk shows how bar charts, pie charts, and histograms are

SPSS

This textbook was in perfect condition as the seller indicated. No writings, page rips or anything to keep you from reading this book. It was like I purchased it brand new. I was very surprised. You could tell the seller barely used the book for his class.

Invaluable

This has been an invaluable resource and is definately among the top 2 favorite books on SPSS that I presently own. It is clear, simple, and user friendly. I like how it provides examples of how to write up the results section.

Step-By-Step Guide

This is an excellent product... Without it I would have been lost interpreting findings after using the SSP 14.0 statistical program. arrived in excellent condition. Only issue, arrived later than I expected, having paid for expedited delivery.

Great Book

This is really a great book. I don't think I would have made it through stats without it!