Introduction to SPSS

Target Audience:
Anyone with little or no experience of using SPSS who wishes to become an efficient and productive SPSS user.

Prerequisites:
Experience of working in the Windows environment and an understanding of key Windows features.

Overview:
The course logically guides you through the fundamentals of using SPSS and is structured so as to provide effective training in the 4 stages of a typical data analysis process - data definition and input, data modification, data analysis and data presentation.

Objectives:
By the end of the course you will have learned to:
• Enter, edit and define data;
• Access data stored in databases and spreadsheet packages;
• Carry out essential data modifications;
• Undertake basic exploratory data analysis and interpret the results;
• Control the operation of SPSS and manage your files and output.

Duration: 2 days

Course Content:
Following an overview of the main features of SPSS and an introduction to essential terminology, you will proceed logically through the following topics:

Data definition and access:
• Defining variables and entering data using the built-in Data Editor
• Attaching properties to multiple variables
• Applying dictionary information from another file
• Reading data into SPSS from other applications

Data modification:
• An overview of capabilities
• Computing new variables and recoding existing data
• Selecting subsets of data from a data set
• Splitting the data file to obtain sub-group summaries

Data analysis and presentation:
• An overview of capabilities
• Summarising a single variable
• Exploring relationships between two variables
• Producing and editing quality charts using the integrated SPSS Graphics
• Producing and editing high-quality dynamic interactive charts
• Using the Output Navigator
• Creating and editing pivot tables in SPSS

Session control and Help with SPSS:
• Utilising the SPSS Help system and statistical glossary
• Sending SPSS output to other applications