01 How to Use SPSS - An Introduction to SPSS for Beginners

Summary

Dr. Todd Daniel introduces 'SPSS for Beginners', a series designed to quickly familiarize newcomers with the software's user interface and data handling. Starting with the basics of the SPSS workspace, the tutorial covers creating variables, entering data, and navigating between Data and Variable Views. It also touches on variable properties like naming conventions, data types, and measurement scales, setting the foundation for further statistical analysis.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is an introductory tutorial for SPSS, aimed at beginners with little to no experience.
• 👨‍🏫 Dr. Todd Daniel from the RStats Institute at Missouri State University is the instructor for this SPSS for Beginners series.
• 🔍 SPSS is a widely used program for statistical analysis, especially in behavioral sciences like psychology.
• 💡 SPSS's popularity is largely due to its user-friendly interface with drop-down menus, which makes it easy to teach and learn.
• ⚠️ A common criticism of SPSS is that its simplicity may lead to simplistic analysis, where users might run tests without fully understanding them.
• 🔤 The acronym SPSS originally stood for 'Statistical Package for the Social Sciences,' but now, like IBM, it stands for nothing specific and is known as IBM SPSS Statistics.
• 🖥️ The tutorial covers the basics of SPSS, starting with the Data View and Variable View, which are the two primary modes of the software.
• 📊 Data View is a spreadsheet-like interface for entering numerical data, with each row representing a case and each column a variable.
• 🔑 Variable View allows for the customization of variable properties such as names, labels, types, and measurement scales.
• 🛠️ Variable names in SPSS should be descriptive, without spaces or special characters, and cannot begin with a number.
• 📏 The 'Type' property of a variable can be Numeric, Dates, Currency, or String, with Numeric being the default for numerical data analysis.
• 📐 The 'Measure' property is crucial, as it defines the scale of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio, with interval and ratio both categorized as 'scale' in SPSS.

Q & A

Who is the presenter of the SPSS for Beginners video series?

The presenter is Dr. Todd Daniel from the RStats Institute at Missouri State University.

What is the primary purpose of the SPSS for Beginners video series?

The primary purpose is to introduce SPSS to beginners and help them get started quickly and easily with the software.

Why is SPSS popular among users?

SPSS is popular due to its user-friendly interface that relies on drop-down menus, making it easy to teach and learn.

What is the common criticism of SPSS?

The common criticism is that SPSS's user interface can make statistical analysis simplistic, allowing users to run tests without fully understanding what they are doing.

What does the acronym SPSS originally stand for?

SPSS originally stood for 'Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.'

What happened to the meaning of the acronym SPSS after 2009?

After SPSS was purchased by IBM in 2009, the letters no longer stand for anything specific, and its proper name is now IBM SPSS Statistics.

What are the two view modes in SPSS?

The two view modes in SPSS are Data View and Variable View.

What does each row in Data View represent?

Each row in Data View represents one participant, subject, or case.

What is the default name given to a new variable in SPSS?

The default name given to a new variable is VAR followed by a number, such as VAR00001.

What are the four scales of measurement mentioned in the script?

The four scales of measurement are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

How can variable names be made more descriptive in SPSS?

Variable names can be made more descriptive by using labels or by following naming conventions like CamelCase or using underscores to replace spaces.

What are the default properties for a new variable in SPSS?

The default properties for a new variable in SPSS are a numeric type, with a width of 8 characters, two decimal places, and a measure set to scale.

How can you change the properties of a variable in SPSS?

You can change the properties of a variable in SPSS by going to Variable View, where you can adjust the variable's name, label, type, measure, width, decimals, and other properties.

What is the difference between nominal and scale measures in SPSS?

In SPSS, nominal measure is used for categorical data without a numerical order, while scale measure is used for interval or ratio data that have a numerical order and equal intervals between values.

How can you create a new variable in SPSS?

To create a new variable in SPSS, simply type a new name in an empty column in Data View or Variable View, and then adjust its properties as needed.

How can you delete a variable in SPSS?

To delete a variable in SPSS, select the variable in Variable View and choose the Clear option.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to SPSS for Beginners

Dr. Todd Daniel introduces the SPSS for Beginners series from the RStats Institute at Missouri State University. Aimed at newcomers to SPSS, the series is designed to provide a quick and easy start to using the software. Dr. Daniel, an experienced SPSS user, covers the basics of the SPSS workspace, creating variables, entering data, simple statistics, and common statistical tests. He acknowledges the software's popularity due to its user-friendly interface but also warns of the potential for simplistic analysis due to its ease of use. The video series is structured to first familiarize viewers with SPSS and then delve into more complex analyses and interpretations. Historically, SPSS was known as 'Statistical Package for the Social Sciences,' but since its acquisition by IBM, the acronym no longer stands for a specific phrase and is now simply known as IBM SPSS Statistics. The introduction guides viewers through opening the software and navigating its basic views, Data View and Variable View.

05:00

🔍 Understanding SPSS Variables and Data Entry

This paragraph delves into the specifics of working with variables in SPSS. It explains the process of entering data in Data View, which resembles a spreadsheet, and how each row represents a participant and each column a variable. The video demonstrates how variables are automatically named upon data entry but advises on the importance of renaming these to more descriptive terms to avoid confusion, especially with multiple variables. It also covers the Variable View, where properties of each variable are adjusted, including naming conventions that forbid spaces and special characters, and the use of labels for more detailed descriptions. The paragraph further discusses variable properties such as Type, which can be Numeric, Dates, Currency, or String, and Measure, which defines the scale of measurement and can be nominal, ordinal, or scale. Additional properties like Width, Decimals, Column, and Align are also briefly introduced, with a focus on their practical application in data analysis. The paragraph concludes with instructions on creating new variables and deleting existing ones, setting the stage for实操 data entry and analysis.

Keywords

💡SPSS

SPSS, which stands for Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, is a widely used software for statistical analysis. It is integral to the video's theme as it is the main subject being taught. The script mentions that SPSS is popular due to its user-friendly interface and its origins in the social sciences, and it is now used across various fields. The video aims to introduce beginners to SPSS, starting from the basics of the software.

💡Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis is the process of examining and interpreting data to draw conclusions. It is central to the video's content, as the script discusses how SPSS facilitates this process. The video mentions that SPSS is used for running tests and performing various statistical analyses, emphasizing its importance in the field of data analysis.

💡User Interface

The user interface in the context of the video refers to the way SPSS is designed to be interacted with by the user. It is highlighted as a major strength of SPSS, making it easy to teach and learn due to its reliance on drop-down menus. The script also warns that this simplicity could lead to 'mindless analysis,' where users might run tests without fully understanding them.

💡Data Handling

Data handling involves the processes of inputting, managing, and manipulating data. The script suggests that SPSS excels in data handling, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. The video aims to teach beginners how to enter data and create variables within SPSS, which are fundamental aspects of data handling.

💡Variables

In the context of SPSS, variables represent different types of measurements or data points. The script explains how to create variables in SPSS, assign them names, and set their properties. Variables are crucial for organizing data within the software and are a key concept for beginners learning to use SPSS.

💡Data View

Data View is one of the two view modes in SPSS, described as a spreadsheet-like interface where numbers are entered. Each row in Data View represents a case, and each column represents a variable. The script uses Data View as an example when teaching how to enter data into SPSS.

💡Variable View

Variable View is the second view mode in SPSS, used to manage the properties of variables. The script explains how to access Variable View and use it to change variable names, labels, types, and other properties. It is an essential tool for organizing and defining the structure of the data in SPSS.

💡Scales of Measurement

Scales of measurement refer to the different levels of data measurement, such as nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. The script explains how these scales are represented in SPSS, with interval and ratio both being categorized under 'scale.' Understanding these scales is important for correctly defining variables in SPSS and conducting appropriate statistical analyses.

💡Labels

Labels in SPSS are used to provide a more detailed description of a variable. The script mentions that while variable names are concise, labels can offer additional information, such as 'height in inches' or 'weight in pounds.' Labels help in clarifying the purpose and nature of the data associated with each variable.

💡Decimals

Decimals in SPSS refer to the number of decimal places shown for a variable. The script explains that the default setting is two decimals, but this can be adjusted based on the needs of the data. Understanding decimals is important for representing data accurately within SPSS.

💡Column Width

Column width in SPSS determines how wide the columns appear in Data View. The script demonstrates how to adjust the column width to better accommodate the data being entered. This is an important aspect of data presentation within the software, affecting readability and organization.

Highlights

Introduction to SPSS for beginners by Dr. Todd Daniel from the RStats Institute at Missouri State University.

SPSS is a daily tool for Dr. Todd Daniel, and the video series aims to help beginners get started quickly and easily.

The series serves as an introduction and will cover more detailed analysis in subsequent videos.

SPSS is popular in behavioral sciences and has a user-friendly interface with drop-down menus.

Criticism of SPSS includes its potential to encourage simplistic and mindless analysis due to its ease of use.

The video promises to teach more about statistical tests and interpretations in later videos.

SPSS originally stood for 'Statistical Package for the Social Sciences' and was created in 1968.

IBM purchased SPSS in 2009, and it is now used in various fields, with the acronym no longer representing its original meaning.

The video is designed for those with little to no experience with SPSS, starting with opening the software.

SPSS has two view modes: Data View and Variable View, with Data View functioning like a spreadsheet.

In Data View, each row represents a participant and each column a variable, with automatic naming upon data entry.

Variable names in SPSS should not contain spaces or special characters and cannot start with a number.

Variable View allows for renaming variables and adjusting their properties such as labels and types.

Labels provide a more detailed description of variables, enhancing clarity in data analysis.

Variable types in SPSS include Numeric, Dates, Currency, and String, with Numeric being the default.

Measure property in SPSS classifies variables as nominal, ordinal, or scale (for interval and ratio scales).

Width, Decimals, and Column properties can be adjusted to customize the appearance of data in Data View.

Align property helps in setting data alignment to left, right, or center for better readability.

New variables can be created by typing a new name, and variables can be deleted using the Clear option.

Transcripts

Are you ready to learn how to use SPSS for your introductory statistics class?

You've come to the right place. My name is Dr. Todd Daniel and this is

SPSS for Beginners from the RStats Institute at Missouri State University.

I use SPSS, pretty much on a daily basis, so I developed this series of videos for

people who are brand new to SPSS, to get you started quickly and easily. This

series is intended as an introduction. Once you're ready to run an analysis for

class, you can move on to our other videos that cover those topics in much

greater detail. We are going to start with the basics where I teach you about

the SPSS workspace, how to create variables, and how to enter data. From

there we will move on to simple statistics, and common statistical tests.

So, as you can see, we have a lot to cover. If you are ready, let's get started

with SPSS for Beginners.

SPSS is a popular program for statistical analysis. It's used often in

the behavioral sciences, like psychology, but it works well for lots of other

fields. So why has SPSS become so popular?

The biggest strength of SPSS is its user interface. Now, I might argue that it's

biggest strength is actually with data handling, but its popularity is no doubt

because of that user interface, which relies on drop-down menus, making it very

easy to teach and to learn. The common criticism of SPSS is because of its user

interface. Because it makes statistical analysis simple, it also risks making

analysis simplistic. It allows people to run tests without really knowing what

they're doing, and it encourages mindless analysis. So in this set of videos for

beginners, I confess that I am showing you how to use SPSS a bit mindlessly. But

I WILL teach you about the other tests and interpretations in other videos.

So for now, you get comfortable with SPSS software, and later we are going to learn

about theory and research design.

The letters SPSS used to stand for "Statistical Package for the Social

Sciences." SPSS was created for social sciences

like psychology, sociology, Health and Human Services, way back in 1968. In 2009,

SPSS was purchased by IBM and because it is now used in a variety of fields other

than the Social Sciences, SPSS is an acronym like BP, KFC, AOL, BNSF, AT&T, or IBM.

The letters no longer stand for anything and its proper name is now IBM SPSS

Statistics. This introduction is for people who have had little to no

experience with SPSS. Start by opening the SPSS software on your computer. When

the splash page pops up, just dismiss it and then we can get to work. I am going

to be using SPSS version 24, but what I show you will look very familiar even if

you're using a version as far back as SPSS 16. Let's get started with the

basics. There are two view modes to SPSS: there is Data View and Variable View.

Data View - which we're in right now - is basically just a spreadsheet, and this is

where you enter numbers. Each row represents one participant, or subject, or

case, and each column is dedicated to a single variable, or type of measurement.

Right now, all of the cells are gray. Let's just try popping in some numbers.

I'll do 1, 2, 3... you'll see that as you enter a number into a column, that column

comes to life. The variable automatically gets named, and its properties are set by

default; however, the name is VAR00001. That stands for

"variable 1". If you type in more numbers... more variables get defined. Their default

names will be VAR00002, VAR00003, VAR00004, and this can get a little confusing,

especially if you have lots of variables and they're all named almost exactly the

same thing. AND also, the default properties for each variable may not be

exactly what you want, so we should learn how to change them, and we're going to do

that in Variable View. To get to Variable View, click on this tab at the bottom of

the screen. We can now see our four variables. In Variable View, each variable

is in a row, and the properties are in columns. We will begin by changing our

variable names. There are a few things that you need to know about naming

variables in SPSS. First of all, you can name a variable pretty much anything

that you want, but you cannot use spaces, you cannot use most special characters,

and the name cannot begin with a number.

If you want to use a space ,use an underscore. CamelCase works equally well

where you omit the spaces, but you capitalize each new word. So let's settle

on some more descriptive names. The first variable is going to be a random

identification number that we call "ID." Next, we will have a variable for "Gender",

and then a variable for "Height" and one more for "Weight."

Now, variable names are good, but sometimes you want something even more

descriptive, and in that case, add a label. Labels allow you to describe your

variable with much more detail. For example, ID is a "random identification

number," and this is "height in inches," and "weight in pounds." Another important

property is Type. The default type is Numeric, because we're using numbers, but

you can change the Type to Dates, if you're recording dates, or to Currency

amounts. A String variable includes letters or words in the data, but

honestly, for most of what we're going to be doing analyzing data, the numeric

variable is going to be exactly what you want. Probably the only other

property that you need right now is Measure. Measure specifies the scale of

measurement that you will be using. Any statistics textbook will tell you

that there are four scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and

ratio. In SPSS, measure nominal is called

"nominal." Ordinal it's called "ordinal." But interval and ratio are both called "scale."

Both of these variables are nominal. We'll leave these two set to scale. I will

quickly mention some other properties. Width specifies how wide or narrow the

string variable entries can be. We won't be using string variables, so we can

safely ignore that. Decimals specifies how many decimal places will be shown.

Two decimals is the default, but we can increase or decrease them. The nominal

variables don't need decimals because they are whole numbers. Scale variables

we can leave set to two decimals. Column specifies how wide or narrow the columns

will appear in Data View. Change the column value to 25... and the column

becomes wider. You can also adjust the width of the columns by hand in Data

View...and you will see those changes reflected back in Variable View. Align

helps you to set your data to be left justified, right justified, or centered.

I like to leave all the numeric variables right justified. There are some other

properties like Values, Missing, and Role, which are useful once we've learned the

basics. So here is what you need to know: you can create a new variable simply by

typing a new name. It's that easy. Give it a label, adjust the decimals,

and set the measure. Leave all of the other settings at their default. And if

you want to delete a variable, select it and then choose Clear. So now you know

some basics for SPSS, how to create a variable, and adjust its settings. Next,

we're going to begin plugging in numbers and running some simple analyses.