Detailed Tutorials

There are two ways in which you can merge files (data sets) in SPSS. Firstly, you can merge files that contain the same variables (fields or columns) but different records or cases (rows). Secondly, you can merge files that contain the same records or cases (rows) but different variables (fields or columns). The steps for … Read more

The Split File option in SPSS allows you to split your dataset into subgroups so that you can run the same analyses for each subgroup. SPSS does not split your file physically. Rather it separates your analyses using the categorical variable that you have used to split – or group – your data. Examples of … Read more

In this tutorial we show you how to conduct simple main effects tests in SPSS for a two-way ANOVA with a significant interaction effect. We also show you how to interpret the results of these tests. The two-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) assesses the effects of two independent categorical variables on a continuous dependent variable. … Read more

The two-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) assesses the effects of two independent categorical variables on a continuous dependent variable.  If you find a significant main effect for one or both of your independent variables with a two-way ANOVA – and you do not find a significant interaction effect between these variables – you can conduct … Read more

The two-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) is used to assess the effects of two independent categorical variables (such as gender and college major) – both alone and in combination with each other – on a continuous dependent variable (such as an exam score). In this tutorial we show you how to perform and interpret the … Read more

Side-by-side boxplots (or box and whisker plots) are a way of visually comparing the distribution of numeric data using the “five number summary” – the minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum values – of two or more groups. They also allow us to identify any outliers that may exist in our data. This … Read more

A boxplot (also known as a box and whisker plot) is a way of graphically illustrating the distribution of numeric data using the “five number summary” of the data set – namely the minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum values.  It also identifies any outliers that may exist in the data set.  This … Read more

SPSS allows users to make a wide variety of edits to their bar charts.  In this tutorial we will show you the easiest way to make some of the most common and useful edits using the same simple bar chart. Please see our dedicated tutorial if you wish to format your SPSS chart in APA … Read more

In this tutorial we show you seven edits that can make your SPSS pie charts better.  Select the edits that work best for your own pie chart, and remember that the goal of your edits is to communicate your data to your audience as clearly as possible.     1. Editing Your Pie Chart in … Read more

In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to conduct the Mann-Whitney U Test in SPSS, and also at how to interpret the result of the test. The Mann-Whitney U Test evaluates whether two samples are likely to originate from the same underlying population, and it tends to be used in situations where an independent-samples t … Read more

In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to perform a repeated-measures (or within-subjects) ANOVA in SPSS, and also at how to interpret the result. A repeated-measures ANOVA design is sometimes used to analyze data from a longitudinal study, where the requirement is to assess the effect of the passage of time on a particular variable. … Read more

In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to perform a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for independent groups in SPSS, and how to interpret the result using Tukey’s HSD. Quick Steps Click on Analyze -> Compare Means -> One-Way ANOVA Drag and drop your independent variable into the Factor box and dependent variable into the … Read more

In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to select cases in SPSS, and how to work with the resultant filtered data.   The Data The data we’re using for this tutorial comes from a hypothetical study that examines how long it takes people to fall asleep during a statistics lesson. The two variables we’re interested … Read more

In this tutorial, we’re going to see how to export data from SPSS into the MySQL database. If you want to follow along, you’re going to need the login details for your database, and also the IP address or domain name of the server on which it is hosted.   The Data As you can … Read more

This tutorial will show you how to generate random numbers in SPSS and also outline a couple of use cases for such a procedure.   The Data As a starting point, you should at least have an ID variable populated in the Data View of SPSS. The ID variable functions to identify the number of cases … Read more

In this tutorial, we will learn how to import data from a MySQL database into the SPSS statistics package. Specifically, we will detail how to set up a MySQL data source and how to import data from it. To follow along, you’re going to need your database IP address, and the username and password you … Read more

This tutorial will teach you how to define variable values and display value labels in the SPSS statistics package. Quick Steps Click on tab to display Variable View Identify your variable, click on its cell in the Values column, and then click on the ellipsis Enter your first coded numerical value where it says Value, … Read more

This tutorial will introduce you to the Variable View tab in SPSS, and teach you how to define variables – that is, specify their various parameters – within this view.   Adding a Variable In order to define a variable and set its parameters you need to get some data into SPSS. The easiest way … Read more

This tutorial explains how to import data from Excel into the SPSS statistics package. Preparing Excel Open the Excel spreadsheet from which you wish to import data. You can see in our example that we have 5 columns of data. Before you begin the process of importing your data into SPSS, you need to ensure … Read more