Statistics Using SPSS: An Integrative Approach, second edition

Abstract

SPSS (statistical product and service solutions) for Windows is one of the most popular computer programs currently available for statistical analyses. Unfortunately, the package is not self-explanatory and one does need some guidance in learning its use and functionality. This book is very helpful in filling that gap. Written by two of the eminent professionals of quantitative data, the book provides a swift overview of the package and teaches most of the essential techniques of data analysis. The authors build up the discussion logically and explain each point in a simple and easy to understand jargon-free English. A very lucid and well-structured account of the basic statistical and epidemiological concepts is definitely a great plus point of this book and I commend the authors on this. The detailed operations described in this book apply specifically to Version 14 but can very well be relevant to all the later versions. The book has 16 chapters and 5 appendices. It begins with a general introduction to the different types of data and variables, measurement scales and measures of location, and spread and skewness followed by chapters focusing on methods of loading data, performing analyses using a range of tests, making graphs, and working with SPSS syntax windows. There is a very orderly arrangement of subject matter, with one topic leading very nicely to another. The outcome of data analysis is explained in detail including what the tables show and their interpretation. Extensive exercises at the end of each chapter are definitely a great help. However, the book will not teach you statistics or which particular test to be used in any specific condition so a basic understanding of statistics is a must. The central features of the book are the use of real data, wealth of exercises and illustrated examples using these data and detailed answers to exercises. It comes with a data CD containing all the data sets; thus minimising the need to manually enter all the data while undertaking practice sessions on your own. In addition, a clear description of all data sets with details of variables is given, which is useful during teaching sessions. Although the commonly used tests have been explained very eloquently, the book is slightly shallow in two areas. Specifically, it does not give many details about logistic regression and factor analysis. We come across these tests quite regularly in the published literature; so addition of a short chapter on these techniques would be a very welcomed improvement.