Introduction to SPSS

This video series in intended for those who want to get a quick start in SPSS. Some of the topics previewed in this series are shown in more detail later in the course.

This is part 1 of our cut-to-the-chase Top 10 Tips in SPSS video series. The topics covered (and starting point of each) are shown below:

0:10 –Variable View and Data View Tabs – Creating Variables and Entering Data (#1 of 10)

2:12 – Variable Names – Rules for Naming Variables (#2 of 10)

4:11 – Creating Value Labels (#3 of 10)

5:55 – Displaying Variable Labels (#4 of 10)

(This video is perfect for those who are looking for quick coverage of these topics. For more information on these topics, see our Introduction to SPSS video.)

Part 2 of our Top 10 Tips in SPSS video series. The topics covered (and starting point of each) are shown below

0:02 – The Frequencies Procedure (#5 of 10)

1:52 – The Descriptives Procedure (#6 of 10)

3:49 – Correlation (#7 of 10)

Part 3 of our Top 10 Tips in SPSS video series. The topics covered (and starting point of each) are shown below:

0:00 – Graphs (#8 of 10)

1:19 – Tests on Means - t Tests and ANOVA (#9 of 10)

2:29 – SPSS File Types – Data Files (.sav), Viewer (Output) Files (.spv), and Syntax Files (.sps)

For an example of a bar graph (on the graphs previewed in #8 above), see our video 'Creating a Bar Chart' in Section 4 of this course.

This lecture covers how to create value labels for different categories of a variable. In SPSS, numbers are required to be entered (in nearly all circumstances) to perform analyses. Value labels help us keep track of which group corresponds to a given number such as 1 = "male" and 2 = "female".

Data file for this video: Value Labels.sav.

In this video, how to insert, move, and delete variables is illustrated. Shortcut keys are also described (including the benefits of using them).

There is no output file for this lecture, as no SPSS output is produced.

Data file for this video: Insert a Variable.sav.

This video illustrates how to use the sort command in SPSS. The sort command is illustrated first on a single variable in SPSS; afterwards, the data set is sorted on two variables simultaneously. How to sort using both ascending (lowest values first) and descending (highest values first) order is shown.

Data file for this video: Sort.sav.

This video examines how to modify a number of different default options in SPSS, including font type, style, and size, decimal places, value labels, and gridlines in the Data View window.

Data file for this video: Edit Options.sav.

**Newly added 1/2017**

In this video, we take a look at how to turn off the notes from printing in SPSS output, which makes working with your results a lot easier (and saves a lot of space when printing).

**Newly added 1/2017**

In this video, we take a look at how to turn off the syntax from printing in SPSS output, which can make reading the results easier and save space (when printing).

**Newly added 1/2017** 

In this video we take a look at how to add a header and footer in SPSS output (for printing). Also covered is how to remove the existing footer that comes out by default in SPSS output.

New Content Added! In this video, we take a look at how to save SPSS output as a PDF file. This can be very helpful for saving paper (and cutting down on expenses), as printing two-sided is typically not possible with the regular SPSS output (*.SPO) file. 

How to create a bar chart in SPSS is covered in this lecture. Bar charts are typically created on categorical variables, such as gender, ethnicity, and so on. The bars of a bar chart are not touching (there are gaps in-between them) since the data are not continuous (they are categorical or discrete).

Data file for this video: Bar Chart.sav.

How to create a stem and leaf plot is covered in this lecture. Stem and leaf plots are interesting alternatives to histograms, as they convey the same information as a histogram, while having the advantage of also presenting the actual values in the graph.

Interesting note: Unlike the bar chart and histogram, notice that the graphics for the stem and leaf plot are a bit antiquated and could use some updating!

Data file for this video: Stem and Leaf Plot.sav.

In this lecture, how to calculate the mean, median, and mode is illustrated using the frequencies procedure in SPSS.

Data file for this video: Measures of Central Tendency.sav.

In this video we take a look at a quick and easy way to calculate z scores in SPSS. Both the properties of z scores (mean = 0, Standard deviation = 1) and how to interpret z scores are also discussed. 

In this video, we take a look at Pearson's r correlation coefficient. We examine it first as a descriptive statistic, then we take a look at it an inferential statistic (as a preview to our next course). The basic difference between these two approaches is the following: as a descriptive statistic, correlation describes the relationship between two variables, while as an inferential statistic, we test to see whether the correlation is significantly different from zero (in addition to describing the relationship).

Data file for this video: Correlation.sav.

In this video, we cover part 1 of our series on entering questionnaire / survey data in SPSS. This 2-part video series should prove helpful to those looking to enter survey data and for a general introduction to database management techniques.

In this video, we cover part 2 of our series on entering questionnaire / survey data in SPSS.

In this video, a conclusion to the course is provided.