Introduction to SPSS

Outline

Overview of SPSS Interface Getting Started Managing Data Descriptive Statistics Basic Analysis Additional Resources

NYU Data Services

Tutorials and support for academic software One-on-one consultation by appointment Data Services website:

– http://nyu.libguides.com/dataservices– Google “nyu data services”

Training tab– Slides and sample code– External resources

Overview of SPSS

SPSS is a statistical package that allows advanced data analysis, management, and graphics.

SPSS has capabilities similar to Stata, SAS, Minitab

There are SPSS student licenses available at NYU computer store for Windows and Mac.

You can also access it through VCL (vcl.nyu.edu) or using NYU computers

Getting Started: SPSS Files

Data file (.sav)

Syntax File (.sps) Commands should be written and saved in syntax rather

then using SPSS drop down menu:

Some advantages to using syntax files:

o allows reusing commands (the same analysis can be quickly repeated on different data sets as long as the variables name match)

o allows to copy, past and edit commands

o easier to read complex expressions

o allows sharing commands / methods with other researchers

Getting Started: SPSS Files

Output (.spv)

o Allows saving both the outcomes of our analysis but can also help retrieve information for further use in a syntax window.

o A bit messy – if we are running the same analysis but for example excluding some cases/ outliers it might be a little difficult to keep track of what is what.

Managing Data

Recoding Variables:

Can be necessary in several cases:

- reverse coded items- continuous variables into grouping

variables- grouping variables in OLS

Computing Variables

Descriptive StatisticsFor variable’s description:

Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Descriptives

For frequencies:

Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Frequencies

To detect outliers: Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics ->

Explore

GraphsScatter Plot:

Graphs -> Legacy Dialogs-> Scatter/dot

Histograms:

Graphs -> Legacy Dialogs-> Histograms

OR Analyze -> Legacy Dialog

Basic Analysis

Some examples:

Correlation    Analyze -> Correlate -> BivariateT-tests Analyze -> Compare Means -> Regression Analyze -> Regression-> Linear

ANOVA Analyze -> General Linear Models

Additional Help

The Data Services staff is available to answer SPSS related questions.– Email: data.services@nyu.edu– Phone: (212)-998-3434– Location: 5th Floor of Bobst Library

Please refer to the Data Services training page

Tutorial Evaluation

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