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SPSS Statistics for Dummies
Spss Statistics For Dummies, 3Rd Edition by Keith Mccormick, Jesus Salcedo, Wiley India, 9788126557059
- GenresMathematics
392 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2015
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July 25, 2023Riveting 😛
June 2, 2018
A perfect introduction to SPSS. This book does not only cover all the basic aspects of SPSS, but it is also an enjoyable reading, due to the informal writing style used by the authors.
For those of you who have worked with SPSS before and only need a quick refresher, I think that Part V: Analyzing Data (Chapters 13 to 16, if you are using the 3rd edition, like me) can be especially useful.
For those of you who have worked with SPSS before and only need a quick refresher, I think that Part V: Analyzing Data (Chapters 13 to 16, if you are using the 3rd edition, like me) can be especially useful.
May 24, 2019
Raamat andis korraliku ülevaate SPSS-i peamistest käsklustest ja toimingutest ja tekitas tunde et asi polegi nii raske kui loengutes tundus.
June 15, 2021
A must-read for those who want to learn SPSS.
June 12, 2015
First, let’s be clear about the subject of this book. It’s a primer on the product that is now officially called “IBM SPSS Statistics,” and which is usually known as just “SPSS” (and that’s what I’m going to call it for the rest of this review). Don’t confuse it, as many people do, with other “IBM SPSS” products.
Despite the name, this book isn’t all about statistics. A significant portion of the book discusses statistical analysis and how it is done with this particular software, but that’s not the primary focus.
The real subject of the book is the ins and outs of using the software. Statistical analysis is there, yes. And so are many other fundamental skills ranging from installing the software and navigating the graphic user interface to data manipulation to programming and automation. These skills are neglected by most people who pick up the product on their own, and that’s a shame, because if you don’t know this stuff you can waste a heap of time, and get a lot less than the full value of SPSS.
Let me explain where I’m coming from. I was an employee of SPSS (the company) for 13 years, where I taught both basic and advanced SPSS classes (among other things). I’ve written books on statistics and data mining, and loads of training and marketing materials for SPSS (the product). And I’ve read a lot, and I mean a LOT, of books on this subject.
The title says “3rd edition,” but this is not a rehash of earlier editions. It’s a fresh new book, with new and expert authors. I can vouch for the credentials of the primary authors, Keith McCormick and Jesus Salcedo. Keith McCormick has been an SPSS consultant and trainer for more than a decade. He’s the primary author of “IBM SPSS Modeler Cookbook,” an advanced-level book about another IBM product line (I am one of the coauthors of that book). Jesus Salcedo leads analytics training at an IBM partner company, and he was a member of the IBM training staff, and also the staff of SPSS before it was acquired by IBM.
If you’ve never touched SPSS before, this is a good book to get you started. It starts from the very beginning, with software installation, and works methodically through the operational skills that give you control and efficiency. It explains the various windows and menus, the purpose of each and how to make the most of them. It covers the ins and outs of working with data in SPSS, and that includes many useful techniques that you will not find in spreadsheets or most other data analysis tools. It discusses use of SPSS syntax and other programming options that provide fine control and automation for your work.
The book is organized into 8 parts:
1. Getting Started with SPSS. This is the introduction. It tells about what SPSS is and how to install it, then walks through a sample statistical analysis example.
2. Getting Data in and out of SPSS. Not just data import and export, but also how data is defined in SPSS, and what that means to you.
3. Messing with Data in SPSS. Data transformation and manipulation. File manipulation. This section explains time and aggravation savers that many people miss.
4. Graphing Data. Explains graphics options from the menu and chart editor.
5. Analyzing Data. Covers the mechanics of techniques ranging from basic descriptive statistics (like sums and means) to testing hypotheses such as comparing means of groups (think chi-square, t-test and Analysis of Variance) to linear regression. The range of methods included is about the same as you’d find in an introductory college statistics class. Along with the step-by-step, the authors have included some explanatory material for each technique. It’s brief, solid stuff. (This section runs about 60 pages.)
6. Making SPSS Your Own. This goes into detail on controlling product settings. It also gives more depth on editing charts and tables and creating chart templates.
7. Programming SPSS with Command Syntax. How to get started using SPSS syntax, the programming language behind the menus.
8. The Part of Tens. Explains the family of add-on modules for SPSS, plus learning resources and inspiration for further developing your skills.
9. There’s a glossary, too.
You may not need every capability that is covered in this book immediately, but it’s important that you be aware of them. I have seen firsthand that people who are not introduced to the range of options available often end up wasting time and having a bad experience down the road.
This book covers about the same range of topics as SPSS clients got in a full seven-day sequence of live training. I’m a believer in live training, and encourage everyone to get good training if you can. But if you’re a good self-trainer and prefer to study on your own, can’t get to a class, or want a good reference to help you make the most of what you’ve learned in class, this is the book to get.
(And to all the teachers out there who’ve asked me about textbooks: here it is folks.)
Despite the name, this book isn’t all about statistics. A significant portion of the book discusses statistical analysis and how it is done with this particular software, but that’s not the primary focus.
The real subject of the book is the ins and outs of using the software. Statistical analysis is there, yes. And so are many other fundamental skills ranging from installing the software and navigating the graphic user interface to data manipulation to programming and automation. These skills are neglected by most people who pick up the product on their own, and that’s a shame, because if you don’t know this stuff you can waste a heap of time, and get a lot less than the full value of SPSS.
Let me explain where I’m coming from. I was an employee of SPSS (the company) for 13 years, where I taught both basic and advanced SPSS classes (among other things). I’ve written books on statistics and data mining, and loads of training and marketing materials for SPSS (the product). And I’ve read a lot, and I mean a LOT, of books on this subject.
The title says “3rd edition,” but this is not a rehash of earlier editions. It’s a fresh new book, with new and expert authors. I can vouch for the credentials of the primary authors, Keith McCormick and Jesus Salcedo. Keith McCormick has been an SPSS consultant and trainer for more than a decade. He’s the primary author of “IBM SPSS Modeler Cookbook,” an advanced-level book about another IBM product line (I am one of the coauthors of that book). Jesus Salcedo leads analytics training at an IBM partner company, and he was a member of the IBM training staff, and also the staff of SPSS before it was acquired by IBM.
If you’ve never touched SPSS before, this is a good book to get you started. It starts from the very beginning, with software installation, and works methodically through the operational skills that give you control and efficiency. It explains the various windows and menus, the purpose of each and how to make the most of them. It covers the ins and outs of working with data in SPSS, and that includes many useful techniques that you will not find in spreadsheets or most other data analysis tools. It discusses use of SPSS syntax and other programming options that provide fine control and automation for your work.
The book is organized into 8 parts:
1. Getting Started with SPSS. This is the introduction. It tells about what SPSS is and how to install it, then walks through a sample statistical analysis example.
2. Getting Data in and out of SPSS. Not just data import and export, but also how data is defined in SPSS, and what that means to you.
3. Messing with Data in SPSS. Data transformation and manipulation. File manipulation. This section explains time and aggravation savers that many people miss.
4. Graphing Data. Explains graphics options from the menu and chart editor.
5. Analyzing Data. Covers the mechanics of techniques ranging from basic descriptive statistics (like sums and means) to testing hypotheses such as comparing means of groups (think chi-square, t-test and Analysis of Variance) to linear regression. The range of methods included is about the same as you’d find in an introductory college statistics class. Along with the step-by-step, the authors have included some explanatory material for each technique. It’s brief, solid stuff. (This section runs about 60 pages.)
6. Making SPSS Your Own. This goes into detail on controlling product settings. It also gives more depth on editing charts and tables and creating chart templates.
7. Programming SPSS with Command Syntax. How to get started using SPSS syntax, the programming language behind the menus.
8. The Part of Tens. Explains the family of add-on modules for SPSS, plus learning resources and inspiration for further developing your skills.
9. There’s a glossary, too.
You may not need every capability that is covered in this book immediately, but it’s important that you be aware of them. I have seen firsthand that people who are not introduced to the range of options available often end up wasting time and having a bad experience down the road.
This book covers about the same range of topics as SPSS clients got in a full seven-day sequence of live training. I’m a believer in live training, and encourage everyone to get good training if you can. But if you’re a good self-trainer and prefer to study on your own, can’t get to a class, or want a good reference to help you make the most of what you’ve learned in class, this is the book to get.
(And to all the teachers out there who’ve asked me about textbooks: here it is folks.)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews