UNIT V

SPSS for Psychologists

Introduction to SPSS for Psychologists:
Overview of SPSS:
• SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is a powerful software tool
developed by IBM for statistical analysis and data management.
• It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of statistical procedures, making it
widely used in various fields, including psychology, sociology, economics, and
healthcare.
• SPSS allows researchers to enter, manipulate, analyze, and present data efficiently,
facilitating evidence-based decision-making and research in psychology.
About IBM:
• IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is a multinational technology
company renowned for its innovations in hardware, software, and services.
• IBM acquired SPSS Inc. in 2009, incorporating SPSS into its suite of software
solutions for data analytics and research.
• With IBM's support, SPSS continues to evolve, offering updates, enhancements, and
integration with other IBM products and services.
System Requirements:
• SPSS is available for both Windows and macOS operating systems.
• Minimum system requirements typically include:
• Windows: Windows 10, 8.1, or 7 with at least 1 GB RAM and 1 GHz
processor.
• macOS: macOS 10.13, 10.14, or 10.15 with at least 1 GB RAM and Intel
processor.
• Higher system specifications are recommended for better performance, especially
when working with large datasets or complex analyses.
• It's essential to check IBM's official documentation for the latest system requirements
and compatibility information.

Uses of SPSS in Psychology:

1. Data Entry and Management:
• SPSS provides tools for entering, importing, and managing data from various
sources, including surveys, experiments, and observational studies.
• Researchers can organize, clean, and transform data within SPSS, ensuring
data integrity and facilitating subsequent analysis.
2. Statistical Analysis:
• SPSS offers a comprehensive set of statistical procedures for analyzing data,
ranging from descriptive statistics to advanced multivariate analyses.
• Common analyses conducted in psychology include t-tests, ANOVA,
regression analysis, factor analysis, and chi-square tests, among others.
3. Data Visualization:
 • SPSS allows researchers to create various graphical representations of data,
such as histograms, scatterplots, bar charts, and pie charts.
• Visualizations aid in exploring data patterns, identifying trends, and
communicating findings effectively to peers, stakeholders, and the broader
audience.
4. Report Generation:
• SPSS enables the generation of comprehensive reports containing analysis
results, summary statistics, tables, charts, and interpretations.
• Researchers can customize report templates, add annotations, and export
reports to different formats (e.g., Word, PDF) for sharing and publication.
5. Predictive Analytics:
• Advanced features in SPSS facilitate predictive analytics, including data
mining, decision trees, and predictive modeling.
• These capabilities allow psychologists to forecast outcomes, identify
predictors of behavior or outcomes, and make informed predictions based on
empirical data.
Conclusion: SPSS is a versatile and indispensable tool for psychologists, offering a
comprehensive suite of features for data analysis, management, visualization, and reporting.
By leveraging SPSS, psychologists can conduct rigorous research, gain insights into human
behavior, and contribute to the advancement of psychological science. Understanding SPSS's
capabilities and system requirements is essential for maximizing its utility in psychological
research and practice.
Installing SPSS:
1. Obtain SPSS:
• Purchase or subscribe to SPSS from IBM's official website or authorized
vendors.
2. Download SPSS:
• Download the SPSS installer from the provided link or physical media.
3. Installation Process:
• Run the installer and follow the step-by-step instructions provided by the
installation wizard.
4. Compatibility Check:
• Ensure compatibility with your computer's operating system and meet the
minimum system requirements specified by IBM for smooth installation.
Starting with SPSS:
1. Launch SPSS:
• Double-click on the SPSS icon to open the software.
2. Welcome Interface:
• Upon launching, SPSS presents a user-friendly interface with options to start a
new project or open existing ones.
3. Familiarization:
• Explore the layout of the SPSS interface, including menus, toolbars, and
windows, to understand its functionality better.
Opening a Data File:
1. Navigate to File Menu:
• Click on the "File" menu at the top left corner of the interface.
2. Open Data File:
• Select "Open" and choose the data file from your computer's directory.
3. Select Data File Type:
• SPSS supports various file formats such as Excel spreadsheets, CSV files, and
databases.
4. Load Data:
• Once selected, the data file will be loaded into SPSS and displayed in the Data
View.

Data View and Variable View:

Data View in SPSS:
The Data View in SPSS provides a tabular representation of the actual data in a dataset. It is
where researchers can view, enter, and edit data. Here's a detailed overview:
1. Tabular Representation:
• Data View presents the dataset in a tabular format, with rows representing
individual cases or observations (e.g., participants, respondents) and columns
representing variables.
• Each cell in the table contains a specific data value corresponding to the
intersection of a case and a variable.
 2. Data Entry and Editing:
• Researchers can directly enter data into cells in the Data View or import data
from external sources such as Excel spreadsheets or CSV files.
• Data entry can include numeric values, text, dates, or other types of data
depending on the variable's measurement level.
• Researchers can edit existing data values by selecting and modifying
individual cells.
3. Viewing Data Properties:
• Data View allows researchers to view the raw data values without any
modifications.
• Researchers can scroll through the dataset to inspect the values, identify
missing data, outliers, or inconsistencies that may require cleaning or further
investigation.
4. Navigating Data:
• Data View provides options for navigating through large datasets using scroll
bars or keyboard shortcuts.
• Researchers can easily move between rows and columns to locate specific data
points or variables of interest.
5. Data Filtering and Sorting:
• SPSS offers tools for filtering and sorting data within the Data View, allowing
researchers to focus on specific subsets of the dataset based on criteria or
variables.
• Filtering options enable researchers to hide or display rows based on
conditions defined by variable values.
• Sorting options allow researchers to arrange rows in ascending or descending
order based on variable values.
6. Data Summary and Information:
• Data View provides summary information about the dataset, including the
number of cases (rows) and variables (columns), displayed at the bottom of
the window.
• Researchers can access additional information about variables, such as
variable labels, measurement scales, and value labels, by switching to the
Variable View.
Variable View in SPSS:
The Variable View in SPSS allows researchers to define and modify the characteristics of
variables in the dataset. It provides a structured interface for specifying variable properties.
Here's a detailed overview:
1. Defining Variable Properties:
• Variable View displays a separate row for each variable in the dataset,
allowing researchers to define and customize various properties associated
with each variable.
• Properties include variable names, labels, types, measurement levels, and
formats.
 2. Variable Name:
• Researchers assign a unique name to each variable, which serves as an
identifier for that variable throughout the dataset.
• Variable names should be concise, descriptive, and adhere to SPSS naming
conventions (e.g., start with a letter, no spaces or special characters except
underscore).
3. Variable Label:
• Variable labels provide a descriptive title or description for each variable,
enhancing the readability and interpretability of the dataset.
• Unlike variable names, variable labels can contain spaces and special
characters and are often more detailed than variable names.
4. Variable Type:
• SPSS supports different types of variables, including numeric (e.g.,
continuous, discrete), string (text), and date/time variables.
• Researchers specify the variable type based on the nature of the data and the
intended analyses.
5. Measurement Level:
• Measurement level indicates the scale of measurement associated with each
variable, such as nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio.
• Understanding the measurement level is essential for selecting appropriate
statistical analyses and interpreting results accurately.
6. Value Labels and Missing Values:
• Researchers can define value labels to assign descriptive labels to numeric or
string values within a variable (e.g., 1 = Male, 2 = Female).
• Missing values can be defined to indicate the absence of data or specific
conditions (e.g., system-missing, user-defined missing).

Data Editing in Variable View:

1. Access Variable Properties:
• Double-click on a variable name in the Variable View to access its properties.
2. Edit Variable Properties:
• Modify variable properties such as name, label, type, values, and measurement
scale as needed.
3. Apply Changes:
• Click on other variables or press Enter to apply the changes made to the
variable.
Saving the Data:
1. Navigate to File Menu:
• Click on the "File" menu.
2. Save Data File:
• Select "Save As" and choose the desired location and file format (e.g., .sav for
SPSS native format).
3. Enter File Name:
 • Provide a descriptive name for the data file to facilitate easy retrieval and
management.
4. Save:
• Click "Save" to save the data file with the specified settings.

Diagrammatic Representations: Bar Chart and Pie Chart:

1. Analyze Data:
• Perform the necessary analyses to obtain summary statistics or frequencies for
categorical variables.
2. Access Chart Builder:
• Navigate to the "Graphs" menu and select "Chart Builder."
3. Choose Chart Type:
• Select either "Bar Chart" or "Pie Chart" from the available options.
4. Define Variables:
• Drag and drop variables to the appropriate axes (e.g., x-axis for categories, y-
axis for frequencies/proportions).
5. Customize Chart:
• Customize the chart appearance, including titles, labels, colors, and legends, as
desired.
6. Generate Chart:
• Click "OK" to generate the chart based on the specified settings.

Tests of Normality: Shapiro-Wilk Test for Normality:

1. Navigate to Analyze Menu:
• Click on the "Analyze" menu at the top of the interface.
2. Select Descriptive Statistics:
• Choose "Descriptive Statistics" and then "Explore" from the dropdown menu.
3. Specify Variables:
• Select the variables of interest for normality testing and move them to the
"Dependent List" box.
4. Options:
• Click on "Plots" and select "Normality plots with tests" to include normality
tests in the output.
5. Run Analysis:
• Click "OK" to execute the analysis.
6. Interpret Results:
• Examine the output, paying attention to the Shapiro-Wilk test statistics and
associated p-values. A significant p-value (<0.05) indicates departure from
normality.
Uses of Various Tests:
• Normality Test:
Normality tests such as the Shapiro-Wilk test help psychologists assess
whether their data follows a normal distribution, which is a fundamental assumption
 for many parametric statistical tests such as t-tests and ANOVA. Deviation from
normality may prompt researchers to consider non-parametric alternatives or apply
transformations to their data.
• Bar Chart and Pie Chart:
Bar charts and pie charts are useful for visualizing categorical data, such as
frequencies or proportions of different groups or categories within a sample. They aid
in summarizing and communicating data patterns to stakeholders effectively,
facilitating data-driven decision-making and hypothesis generation.