SPSS and data analysis tutors

Analysing your data in SPSS: the basic steps

Whatever your project, the analysis follows the same path from raw data to results you can explain.

1. 1Set up your variablesIn Variable View, name each variable, set its type and measure (nominal, ordinal or scale) and label your codes, for example 1 = Male, 2 = Female.
2. 2Enter and clean the dataEnter each response as a row, then check for typing errors, missing values and impossible numbers before analysing.
3. 3Describe the dataStart with frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations to describe your respondents and responses.
4. 4Choose the right testThe test depends on your research question and your variables: for example chi-square for two categorical variables, a t-test or ANOVA to compare group means, correlation or regression for relationships.
5. 5Read the output carefullyLook for the test statistic, degrees of freedom and the p-value (significance). Report them in the format your department uses.
6. 6Explain what the numbers meanIn chapter four, say in plain words what each result tells you about your research question.

Read more: How to interpret SPSS output: t-test, chi-square, correlation and regression