IBM SPSS for Introductory Statistics
Use and Interpretation, Fourth Edition
📘 About This Book
"Designed to help students analyze and interpret research data using IBM SPSS, this book describes the use of statistics in user-friendly, non-technical language to show readers how to choose the appropriate statistic based on the design, interpret output, and write about the results. The authors prepare readers for all of the steps in the research process, from design and data collection, to writing about the results. Discussions of writing about outputs, data entry and checking, reliability assessment, testing assumptions, and computing descriptive and inferential parametric and nonparametric statistics are included. SPSS syntax, along with the output, is provided for those who prefer this format"--Provided by publisher
📖 Summary
IBM SPSS for Introductory Statistics, authored by George A. Morgan and published in 2011, spans 244 pages and serves as an accessible guide designed to help students analyze and interpret research data effectively. The book addresses the common anxieties surrounding quantitative analysis by describing the use of statistics in user-friendly, non-technical language. Rather than overwhelming readers with dense mathematical formulas, the text focuses on practical application, showing learners how to navigate the software, choose the appropriate statistical test based on a specific research design, interpret the generated output, and write about the results in a clear, academic manner. The authors prepare readers for every single step in the research process, starting from the initial design and data collection phases all the way through to the final written report. Essential foundational topics are covered thoroughly, including data entry and checking, reliability assessment, and testing assumptions to ensure data integrity before any analysis begins. The guide then transitions into computing both descriptive and inferential statistics, encompassing both parametric and nonparametric methods to accommodate various types of research questions and data distributions. Additionally, the book provides SPSS syntax alongside the standard visual output for those instructors and students who prefer a command-line or code-based format. By bridging the gap between raw data and meaningful interpretation, this manual empowers beginners to approach computer-based statistical analysis with confidence and clarity, making it a reliable companion for introductory research methods and statistics courses.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Written in user-friendly, non-technical language
Covers the entire research process from design to writing results
Includes guidance on data entry, checking, and reliability assessment
Provides both standard output and SPSS syntax options
⚠️ Cons
Focuses primarily on introductory concepts rather than advanced multivariate techniques
Specific software interface steps may reflect older versions of SPSS due to the 2011 publication date
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of IBM SPSS for Introductory Statistics? +
The book was authored by George A. Morgan.
When was this book published? +
It was published in 2011.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The book contains 244 pages.
Does the book cover nonparametric statistics? +
Yes, the text includes discussions on computing both parametric and nonparametric statistics.
Does the book include SPSS syntax? +
Yes, SPSS syntax along with the output is provided for readers who prefer that format.
