SPSS for Psychologists: Fifth Edition - A Practical and Comprehensive Book for Students and Researchers
SPSS for Psychologists: Fifth Edition - A Comprehensive Guide for Data Analysis
If you are a psychology student or researcher, you probably have heard of SPSS, a powerful software tool for data analysis. But what is SPSS exactly, and how can you use it effectively for your psychological research? In this article, we will introduce you to SPSS for Psychologists: Fifth Edition, a best-selling book that covers everything you need to know about SPSS version 20 and its applications in psychology. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, this book will help you learn how to get the most out of SPSS and conduct reliable and valid statistical tests on your data.
Spss For Psychologists 5th Edition Pdf
What is SPSS and why use it for psychological research?
SPSS stands for Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and it is one of the most widely used software programs for data analysis in the social sciences. It was first developed in 1968 by Norman Nie, Dale Bent, and Hadlai Hull at Stanford University, and since then it has been updated and improved by IBM and other developers. SPSS allows you to perform a variety of statistical procedures on your data, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, multivariate analysis, and graphical presentation. You can also use SPSS to manage your data, such as entering, editing, transforming, and selecting data.
SPSS is especially useful for psychological research because it can handle complex data sets that involve multiple variables, groups, and measurements. It can also perform specialized tests that are relevant for psychology, such as ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA, regression, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and more. Moreover, SPSS can help you report your results in a clear and professional manner, following the APA style and format guidelines.
How to get started with SPSS for Psychologists: Fifth Edition?
System requirements and installation
To use SPSS for Psychologists: Fifth Edition, you need to have access to a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for running SPSS version 20. These include:
Windows XP (32-bit), Vista (32- or 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit), or Windows 8 (32- or 64-bit)
Intel or AMD processor with at least 1 GHz speed
At least 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended)
At least 800 MB of free hard disk space
A DVD-ROM drive
A monitor with at least 800 x 600 resolution (1024 x 768 recommended)
An internet connection for online help and updates
To install SPSS version 20 on your computer, you need to follow the instructions that come with the software package. You can also download a free trial version of SPSS from the IBM website. Once you have installed SPSS, you can launch it by clicking on the SPSS icon on your desktop or in your Start menu.
Data entry and handling
Before you can analyze your data using SPSS, you need to enter your data into the software. There are two ways to do this: you can either type your data directly into SPSS, or you can import your data from another source, such as Excel, Word, or a text file. SPSS has two main windows for data entry and handling: the Data Editor and the Variable View.
The Data Editor is where you can see and edit your data in a spreadsheet-like format. Each row represents a case (or an observation), and each column represents a variable (or a measurement). You can use the Data Editor to enter, modify, delete, or select data, as well as to sort, filter, or split data into groups.
The Variable View is where you can see and edit the properties of your variables, such as their names, labels, types, values, formats, and missing values. You can use the Variable View to define, rename, recode, or compute variables, as well as to assign them to different levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, or scale).
Data manipulation and modification
Sometimes, you may need to manipulate or modify your data before you can analyze it using SPSS. For example, you may need to create new variables from existing ones, transform your variables into different scales or units, or deal with missing or erroneous data. SPSS provides several tools and functions for data manipulation and modification, such as:
The Transform menu, which allows you to compute new variables, recode existing variables, rank cases, standardize variables, replace missing values, and more.
The Data menu, which allows you to select cases, split files, merge files, aggregate data, transpose data, and more.
The Analyze menu, which allows you to weight cases, filter cases, sort cases by variables, and more.
The Syntax Editor, which allows you to write and run commands using the SPSS syntax language.
By using these tools and functions, you can prepare your data for analysis and ensure its validity and reliability.
How to perform basic statistical procedures using SPSS?
Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and display the characteristics of your data, such as the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, range, frequency distribution, histogram, Tests of difference for two-sample designs
Tests of difference are used to compare the means or proportions of two groups or samples on a continuous or categorical variable, respectively. For example, you may want to test whether there is a significant difference between males and females in their IQ scores, or whether there is a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers in their lung cancer rates. SPSS provides several tests of difference for two-sample designs, such as:
The Independent-Samples T Test, which compares the means of two independent groups on a continuous variable. You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, homogeneity of variance, and independence of observations.
The Paired-Samples T Test, which compares the means of two related groups on a continuous variable. You can use this test when your data consists of repeated measures or matched pairs.
The Mann-Whitney U Test, which compares the ranks of two independent groups on a continuous or ordinal variable. You can use this test when your data does not meet the assumptions of the Independent-Samples T Test.
The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, which compares the ranks of two related groups on a continuous or ordinal variable. You can use this test when your data does not meet the assumptions of the Paired-Samples T Test.
The Chi-Square Test of Independence, which compares the proportions of two or more independent groups on a categorical variable. You can use this test when your data consists of frequency counts or percentages.
By using these tests, you can determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between two groups or samples on your variable of interest.
Tests of correlation
Tests of correlation are used to measure the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two continuous variables. For example, you may want to test whether there is a positive or negative correlation between height and weight, or between age and memory. SPSS provides several tests of correlation, such as:
The Pearson Correlation Coefficient, which measures the degree of linear association between two continuous variables. You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity.
The Spearman Rank-Order Correlation Coefficient, which measures the degree of monotonic association between two continuous or ordinal variables. You can use this test when your data does not meet the assumptions of the Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
The Kendall Tau Correlation Coefficient, which measures the degree of concordance between two continuous or ordinal variables. You can use this test when your data consists of ordinal rankings or tied ranks.
By using these tests, you can determine whether there is a statistically significant correlation between two variables and how strong and directional it is.
Tests for nominal and categorical data
Tests for nominal and categorical data are used to analyze data that consists of labels, categories, or codes, rather than numerical values. For example, you may want to analyze data that involves gender, race, religion, occupation, diagnosis, etc. SPSS provides several tests for nominal and categorical data, such as:
The One-Sample Chi-Square Test (or Goodness-of-Fit Test), which compares the observed frequencies of a single categorical variable with the expected frequencies based on a theoretical distribution. You can use this test when you want to check whether your sample is representative of a population or whether your data follows a certain pattern.
The McNemar Test (or Marginal Homogeneity Test), which compares the proportions of two related groups on a dichotomous (two-category) variable. You can use this test when your data consists of repeated measures or matched pairs.
The Cochran Q Test (or Repeated Measures Chi-Square Test), which compares the proportions of three or more related groups on a dichotomous variable. You can use this test when your data consists of repeated measures or matched sets.
The Kappa Statistic (or Cohen's Kappa), which measures the degree of agreement between two raters or judges on a categorical variable. You can use this test when you want to assess the reliability or validity of your measurement.
By using these tests, you can analyze your nominal and categorical data and draw meaningful conclusions from them.
How to perform advanced statistical procedures using SPSS?
Tests of difference for complex designs
Tests of difference for complex designs are used to compare the means of three or more groups or samples on a continuous variable, while controlling for the effects of other variables. For example, you may want to test whether there is a significant difference between three types of therapy on depression scores, while taking into account the effects of gender and age. SPSS provides several tests of difference for complex designs, such as:
The One-Way ANOVA (or Analysis of Variance), which compares the means of three or more independent groups on a continuous variable. You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, homogeneity of variance, and independence of observations.
The Repeated Measures ANOVA, which compares the means of three or more related groups on a continuous variable. You can use this test when your data consists of repeated measures or matched pairs.
The Two-Way ANOVA (or Factorial ANOVA), which compares the means of two or more independent groups on a continuous variable, while considering the effects of another independent variable (or factor). You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, homogeneity of variance, independence of observations, and no interaction effect.
The Mixed ANOVA (or Mixed-Design ANOVA), which compares the means of two or more groups on a continuous variable, while considering the effects of another variable that is either independent or related (or mixed). You can use this test when your data consists of a combination of between-subjects and within-subjects factors.
The ANCOVA (or Analysis of Covariance), which compares the means of two or more independent groups on a continuous variable, while controlling for the effects of another continuous variable (or covariate). You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, homogeneity of regression slopes, independence of observations, and no interaction effect.
By using these tests, you can compare the means of multiple groups or samples on your dependent variable and examine the effects of other variables on your results.
Tests of association for complex designs
Tests of association for complex designs are used to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between two or more variables, while controlling for the effects of other variables. For example, you may want to test whether there is a positive or negative association between stress and health, while taking into account the effects of gender and income. SPSS provides several tests of association for complex designs, such as:
The Partial Correlation Coefficient, which measures the degree of linear association between two continuous variables, while controlling for the effects of one or more other continuous variables. You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity.
The Semi-Partial Correlation Coefficient, which measures the degree of linear association between two continuous variables, while controlling for the effects of one other continuous variable. You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity.
The Multiple Correlation Coefficient, which measures the degree of linear association between one continuous variable and two or more other continuous variables. You can use this test when your data meets the assumptions of normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity.
of continuous variables. You can use this test when your data consists of multiple dependent and independent variables.
By using these tests, you can measure the association between multiple variables and control for the effects of confounding variables.
Multiple regression
Multiple regression is a statistical technique that allows you to predict the value of one continuous variable (or dependent variable) based on the values of two or more other continuous variables (or independent variables). For example, you may want to predict the academic performance of students based on their IQ scores, motivation levels, and study habits. SPSS provides several types of multiple regression, such as:
The Linear Regression, which predicts the value of a continuous dependent variable based on a linear combination of continuous independent variables. You can use this technique when your data meets the assumptions of normality, linearity, homoscedasticity, independence of errors, and no multicollinearity.
The Logistic Regression, which predicts the value of a dichotomous (two-category) dependent variable based on a logistic function of continuous or categorical independent variables. You can use this technique when your data meets the assumptions of linearity in logit, independence of errors, and no multicollinearity.
The Hierarchical Regression, which predicts the value of a continuous dependent variable based on a series of models that add or remove independent variables in a hierarchical order. You can use this technique when you want to test the effects of different sets of independent variables on your dependent variable.
The Stepwise Regression, which predicts the value of a continuous dependent variable based on a series of models that select or exclude independent variables based on their statistical significance. You can use this technique when you want to find the best combination of independent variables that explain your dependent variable.
By using these techniques, you can predict your dependent variable and test the effects and contributions of your independent variables.
Factor analysis
Factor analysis is a statistical technique that allows you to reduce a large number of variables into a smaller number of factors or dimensions that represent the underlying structure or patterns of your data. For example, you may want to reduce a set of personality traits into a few factors that capture the main dimensions of personality. SPSS provides several types of factor analysis, such as:
The Principal Components Analysis (PCA), which reduces the number of variables into a smaller number of components that account for the maximum amount of variance in your data. You can use this technique when you want to simplify your data or create new variables from existing ones.
The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), which reduces the number of variables into a smaller number of factors that reflect the latent constructs or concepts underlying your data. You can use this technique when you want to explore the structure or dimensions of your data or test a theoretical model.
The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), which tests whether a specified number of factors and their relationships fit your data well. You can use this technique when you want to confirm or validate a theoretical model or measure.
By using these techniques, you can reduce the complexity of your data and identify the key factors or dimensions that represent your data.
Reliability analysis
Reliability analysis is a statistical technique that allows you to measure the consistency or accuracy of your measurement instrument or scale. For example, you may want to measure the reliability of a questionnaire that assesses depression symptoms. SPSS provides several methods for reliability analysis, such as:
The Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient, which measures the internal consistency or homogeneity of your scale items. You can use this method when your scale items are continuous or ordinal and measure the same construct.
The Split-Half Reliability Coefficient, which measures the correlation between two halves of your scale items. You can use this method when your scale items are continuous or ordinal and measure the same construct.
of your scale items over time. You can use this method when your scale items are continuous or ordinal and measure a stable construct.
The Inter-Rater Reliability Coefficient, which measures the agreement or consistency between two or more raters or judges on a categorical variable. You can use this method when your variable is nominal or ordinal and involves subjective ratings.
By using these methods, you can assess the reliability of your measurement instrument or scale and ensure its quality and validity.
How to present and report the results of SPSS analysis?
Graphs and charts
Graphs and charts are visual representations of your data that can help you summarize, display, and communicate your results effectively. SPSS provides several types of graphs and charts, such as:
The Histogram, which shows the frequency distribution of a single continuous variable.
The Bar Chart, which shows the frequency or percentage distribution of a single categorical variable.
The Pie Chart, which shows the percentage distribution of a single categorical variable.
The Scatterplot, which shows the relationship between two continuous variables.
The Line Chart, which shows the trend or change of a continuous variable over time or another continuous variable.
The Boxplot, which shows the distribution and outliers of a continuous variable across groups or categories.
To create graphs and charts in SPSS, you can use the Graphs menu or the Chart Builder. You can also customize your graphs and charts by changing their titles, labels, colors, fonts, scales, legends, etc.
Tables and matrices
Tables and matrices are numerical representations of your data that can help you organize, display, and communicate your results effectively. SPSS provides several types of ta