PREREQUISITES
Some basic knowledge of descriptive statistics, Introduction to Statistics, or equivalent experience presumed. The course is designed for people with little or no experience in the use of SPSS, though basic keyboard skills and/or experience with Microsoft Windows are expected. It is also useful for people with some SPSS experience to enhance their knowledge of the package. This course provides the beginner in quantitative data analysis with the basic requirements for analysis in an SPSS computing environment.
COURSE OUTLINE
This course will provide participants with sufficient knowledge of SPSS to enable them to create and run SPSS jobs for analysing data obtained from surveys, experiments and other sources. It will also provide them with a structure to help them develop a data analysis plan. Instruction and practical work will be integrated in all sessions of the course. Each participant will have the sole use of a computer, and individual assistance will be available. The course will be based on a recent PC version of SPSS, but it is also suitable for users of earlier versions of SPSS and users of SPSS on the Mac or other platforms.
The course provides grounding in the use of the SPSS package for data analysis. It will use descriptive statistical techniques to demonstrate the package's features, though it is not planned as a comprehensive course in statistics.
Topics to be covered include: the Windows environment as applicable to SPSS; key elements of an SPSS 'job' - defining, entering data and running jobs, preparing data for analysis; raw data files - using both windows and syntax, SPSS files and data from other packages; selecting and modifying data, creating new variables; graphing data; developing a data analysis plan - deciding on the measures, tables and graphs appropriate for the study being undertaken; output files - formats, data analysis procedures, univariate and bivariate analyses, presentation of results in reports and tables, and the analysis of multiple response questions. It will also involve some of the file handling features of SPSS, including merging of both cases and variables.
COURSE TEXT
There is no set text, and full notes and data files will be supplied. It would be useful, though it is not essential, for participants to bring a recent SPSS Base System User's Guide to the course.
REFERENCES SPSS Manuals and any recent text written on the use of SPSS.
RELATED COURSES
Taken in conjunction with Introduction to Statistics, this course provides the beginner in quantitative data analysis with the basic requirements for analysis in an SPSS computing environment. Students needing to convert from another package to SPSS will also find the course provides a bridge to understanding the SPSS language and the operation of the basic procedures, although more advanced procedures will not be covered. Participants who complete this course may wish to progress to intermediate level NZSSN courses in subsequent programmes.
