Book Image

Data Analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics

By : Ken Stehlik-Barry, Anthony Babinec
Book Image

Data Analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics

By: Ken Stehlik-Barry, Anthony Babinec

Overview of this book

SPSS Statistics is a software package used for logical batched and non-batched statistical analysis. Analytical tools such as SPSS can readily provide even a novice user with an overwhelming amount of information and a broad range of options for analyzing patterns in the data. The journey starts with installing and configuring SPSS Statistics for first use and exploring the data to understand its potential (as well as its limitations). Use the right statistical analysis technique such as regression, classification and more, and analyze your data in the best possible manner. Work with graphs and charts to visualize your findings. With this information in hand, the discovery of patterns within the data can be undertaken. Finally, the high level objective of developing predictive models that can be applied to other situations will be addressed. By the end of this book, you will have a firm understanding of the various statistical analysis techniques offered by SPSS Statistics, and be able to master its use for data analysis with ease.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
4
Dealing with Missing Data and Outliers
10
Crosstabulation Patterns for Categorical Data

Installing and Configuring SPSS

If the SPSS Statistics package is not already available for you to use, you will need to start by installing the software. This section establishes the foundation to use this tool for data analysis. Even if the software is available on your computer, you will want to become familiar with setting up the environment properly in order to make the analyzing process efficient and effective.

It is also a good idea to run a basic SPSS job to verify that everything is working as it should and to see the resources that are provided by way of tutorials and sample datasets.

Before you can use IBM SPSS Statistics for data analysis, you will need to install and configure the software. Typically, an analyst or researcher will use their desktop/laptop to analyze the data and this is where the SPSS software will be installed.

When you purchase the software, or obtain it through your organization, you will receive an executable with a name such as SPSS_Statistics_24_win_64.exe. The 64 in this file name indicates that the 64-bit version of the software was selected and version 24 of SPSS is being installed.

Running this .exe file will launch the installation process but prior to this, there are some things to consider. During the installation process, you will be asked where you want the files associated with SPSS to be stored. Most often, users will put the software in the same location that they use for other applications on their machine. This is usually the C:Program Files folder.

Topics that will be covered in this chapter include the following:

  • Running the SPSS installation utility
  • Setting parameters during the installation process
  • Licensing the SPSS software
  • Setting parameters within the SPSS software
  • Executing a basic SPSS session