This course will provide you with sufficient knowledge of SPSS to enable you to create and run SPSS jobs for analysing data obtained from surveys, experiments and other sources. It will also provide you with a structure to help tyou develop a data analysis plan.
Brian Phillips is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne.
This course focuses on the analysis of survey, administrative and/or census data, and will use descriptive statistical techniques to demonstrate SPSS's features. Some revision of statistics concepts will be covered if needed, though it is not planned as a comprehensive course in statistics.
We will start with the premise that people who are on the course have little or no knowledge of SPSS, but will also cater for those who wish to improve their SPSS skills.
You will learn how to establish an SPSS program for survey or other data and how to generate appropriate summaries, tables and graphs suitable for statistical reports.
We will focus on how to use SPSS rather than on advanced statistical procedures. This course reviews the SPSS package so the student gains a sound knowledge of what it can do.
The target audience for this course is anyone who has to analyse statistical data for their employment or research but has limited background in statistical analysis.
Day 1
The Windows environment as applicable to SPSS; key elements of a SPSS 'job' – defining and, preparing data for analysis; Data formats, variable names, labels, missing values, level of measurement.
Developing a codebook.
Day 2
Establishing and running the SPSS program.
Using Descriptive SPSS procedures, FREQUENCIES, DESCRIPTIVES, EXPLORE, MEANS.
Graphing data.
Day 3
Introduction to SPSS Syntax, raw data files.
Further SPSS Procedures CROSSTABS, MULT RESPONSE, TABLES.
Revision
Day 4
Selecting and modifying data, creating new variables;
COMPUTE, RECODE, COUNT, IF, SELECT IF
Developing a data analysis plan - deciding on the measures, tables and graphs appropriate for the study being undertaken;
Students have the opportunity to work on their own data.
Day 5
Working between SPSS and files in other formats such as raw data, Excel files and other computer packages.
Merging of both cases and variables.
Students have an opportunity to demonstrate SPSS skills they have learnt to the class.
Students may get help with their own data.
Note: Days 1 and 2 uses the pull down menus.
Days 3 to 5 and use both SPSS syntax and pull down menus as appropriate.
This course will take place in a computer lab. Notes and data files will be provided.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Students should have familiarity with the windows based environment and some introduction to basic statistical ideas.
Q: Do I have to have any prerequisites to do this course?
A: see recommended background.
Q: Can I use my own data during the course?
A:Yes, towards the end of the course students are welcome to work on their own data and get help from the lecturer. However, students do not have to have their own data as plenty will be provided.
Q: I have MAC, not a PC. Will this course be suitable for me?
A:Yes, SPSS is very similar on the MAC and the PC. Also the course is suitable for users of earlier versions of SPSS.
Q: I want to learn about statistical tests and some of the more advanced statistics which can be done in SPSS. Will this course be suitable for me?
A: No, this course focusses on how set up the SPSS files and how to use the package to summarize, present, modify and select the data. To learn about specific statistical procedures you should look at other courses offered in the ACSPRI program.
There was practical sessions on the computer after each concept though and guidance and advice from the facilitator. A lot of teacher-student interaction. (Summer 2015)
It is very useful because it is related to my work. The knowledge and skills learned will be used to analyze research, monitoring and evaluation data and report on the finding using SPSS. (Summer 2015)
It is very useful because I badly need detail knowledge on how to use SPSS confidently in analysing and reporting data collected during research to my employer for good decision making to improve education system. (Summer 2015)
The course allows/help me to navigate the SPSS tool and also discover features that would enable me to present/organise data more effectively (Winter 2015)
Yes, everything was very well balanced. (Winter 2015)
The instructor's bound, book length course notes will serve as the course texts.