You are here

A Conceptual Guide to Statistics Using SPSS
Share
Share

A Conceptual Guide to Statistics Using SPSS



April 2011 | 312 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Bridging an understanding of Statistics and SPSS.

"The text is written in a user-friendly language and illustrates concepts that would otherwise be confusing to beginning students and those with limited computer skills."

-Justice Mbizo, University of West Florida

This unique text helps students develop a conceptual understanding of a variety of statistical tests by linking the ideas learned in a statistics class from a traditional statistics textbook with the computational steps and output from SPSS. Each chapter begins with a student-friendly explanation of the concept behind each statistical test and how the test relates to that concept. The authors then walk through the steps to compute the test in SPSS and the output, clearly linking how the SPSS procedure and output connect back to the conceptual underpinnings of the test. By drawing clear connections between the theoretical and computational aspects of statistics, this engaging text aids students' understanding of theoretical concepts by teaching them in a practical context.


 
1. Introduction
 
2. Descriptive Statistics
 
3. Chi-Squared Test
 
4. Linear Correlation
 
5. One- and Two Sample T-Tests
 
6. One-way ANOVA
 
7. Two- and Higher-way ANOVA
 
8. Within-subject ANOVA
 
9. Mixed-model ANOVA
 
10. MANOVA
 
11. Regression
 
12. ANCOVA
 
13. Factor and Components Analysis
 
14. Psychometrics
 
15. Non-parametric Tests
 
16. Matrix Algebra
 
17. Appendix on the General Formulation of Custom Contrasts using Syntax

“The most impressive part of this text is its comprehensiveness. It covers all of the major statistical analyses anyone would need to know about. I found it difficult to read at times because I was not given the figures to see in order to understand better the text. Also headings were not distinct and/or missing which would have made it easier to read. There are not many texts like this available so it would allow instructors some flexibility in choosing a text appropriate for their needs. At this point it is too advanced for my students but I might buy a personal edition as a reference for myself.”

Carmela Battaglia
Keuka College

“I think the tone is excellent and like the way that the author explained the concepts in an efficient way. The main advantage of this book over its competitors is its scope and coverage of both “point and click” and syntax methods for using SPSS. I do prefer this style to the texts I’ve used in the past, but I find it easier to write my own lab guides and post them on the course’s e-learning page.”

John Stogner
University Of Florida

"In my view the text is written in a user friendly language and illustrates concepts that would otherwise be confusing to beginning students and those with limited computer skills. Increasingly there are non-traditional students who are entering the education pipelines who need precise resources to guide them in accomplishing the tasks they need to without going through.”

Justice Mbizo
University Of West Florida

“I think the single most impressive aspect is the bridge between the practical and conceptual/theoretical. The author has done a nice job with this. I also like some of the things he mentions (“tidbits”) that are normally not mentioned in texts like this. I believe these two things distinguish it from other like texts. Adopt: Very likely. As I said earlier, I’ve been looking for something like this. So, it would definitely go further than any other book I know in fulfilling that need.”

J.D. Jasper
University Of Toledo

Clear explanations and nice visuals. This book would possibly serve as a nice supplementary text in a course in which another book with more theoretical information about the methods. I didn't adopt because the book doesn't include the nonparametric methods I am required to teach.

Dr Stefanie A Wind
College Of Education, University Of Alabama
September 23, 2015

Excellent book for my students

Dr Marie Leiner
Psychiatry Dept, Texas Technology University Health Science - El Paso
June 4, 2013

like Salkind better

Dr T Alexander
Social Sciences Div, Texas Wesleyan University
September 27, 2012

Course being retooled - but this book may be a possibility for the future.

Dr Christopher Sedelmaier
Criminal Justice Dept, University of New Haven
March 12, 2012

More detail than I need

Dr Jeanne Thomas
Social Work Dept, Eastern Michigan University
February 17, 2012

Compared to other potential texts, this book is an easy read that is less intimidating, but contains much of the same information. The availability of data files and PowerPoint slides from the author's website facilitated the understanding of complex numerical concepts that can be somewhat challenging.

Dr Clive Kennedy
Psychology , Chicago School of Professional Psychology
November 5, 2011
Key features

Key Features:

  • Unique Organization: The conceptual foundation of each topic is introduced before any equations or computational steps are displayed in order to remind students of the underlying logic of each statistical test.
  • "Making the Most of Syntax" sections help students learn how to use syntax in their own research by providing the general form and a specific example of each syntax function.
  • The Connections sections use SPSS to demonstrate the equivalence among tests which provides a "bigger picture" perspective for students.
  • A Closer Look sections feature advanced topics—unique to this introductory SPSS text—that show students how to use SPSS to compute tests or display output that can be important to report in a research paper.
  • The Behind the Scenes sections explain the conceptual machinery underlying the statistical tests, describing the idea behind each test in accessible language, thereby enhancing the students' understanding.
The conceptual foundation of each topic is introduced before any equations or computational steps are displayed in order to remind students of the underlying logic of each statistical test.

Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.