Quick Tutorials

There is no “zoom in” button in the data, output and syntax windows of SPSS, but it is possible to zoom in on SPSS files using Print Preview. Quick Steps Open your data, output or syntax file in SPSS Click File -> Print Preview Click Zoom In   First open your data (.sav), output (.spv) or … Read more

In this tutorial, we show you how to calculate a minimum sample size for a Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS power analysis.  It is important to perform this calculation before you collect data for your study (although you may wish to carry out a pilot study beforehand).   Quick Steps Click Analyze -> Power Analysis … Read more

In this tutorial, we show you how to report an independent samples t-test from SPSS in APA style. First, we provide a template that you can use to report your independent samples t-test in APA style. Then we show you how to populate this template using the SPSS output from your own t-test. Finally, we … Read more

This tutorial shows you how to report a one way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) from SPSS in APA style.  First, we provide a template that you can use to report your one way ANOVA in APA style.  Then we show you how to populate this template using the SPSS output from your own ANOVA.  Finally, we … Read more

Tables are used to organize numbers and/or text in columns and rows. Use tables (and charts) when doing so allows you to communicate your data more effectively than describing that data in the text. In this tutorial we show you how to format your SPSS tables in APA style.  We will do some of this … Read more

Cronbach’s alpha is used to measure the reliability – or internal consistency – of a set of scale items. It can be used, for example, to assess the internal consistency of items on a Likert scale questionnaire. In this tutorial we will show you how to calculate and interpret Cronbach’s alpha in SPSS. Quick Steps … Read more

In this tutorial we will show you how to reverse score items (i.e., variables) in SPSS. Quick Steps Click Transform -> Recode into Same Variables Click Reset (recommended) Move the items that you need to reverse score from the box on the left to the Variables box Click Old and New Values Under Old Value, in the Value field, type the … Read more

In this tutorial we show you how to define Likert scale items (variables) in SPSS. What Are Likert Scale Items? Likert scale items (variables) are commonly used in the questionnaires that we use to measure respondents’ attitudes and opinions.   Respondents are invited to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement, according to points on a … Read more

In this tutorial we show you how to report the results of Fisher’s exact test from SPSS in APA style.  For additional information about formatting your reports, please refer to the APA Style website First, we present a template that you can use to report your Fisher’s exact test in APA style.  Then we show … Read more

In this tutorial, we show you how to report a one sample t test performed in SPSS in APA style. For additional information about formatting reports, please refer to the APA Style website. First, we provide a template that you can use to report your one sample t test in APA style. Then we show … Read more

In this tutorial we show you how to report a Mann-Whitney U test from SPSS in APA style. For additional information about formatting your reports, please refer to the APA Style website. First, we provide a template that you can use to report your test in APA style. Then we show you how to populate … Read more

After you have run analyses or created charts and tables in SPSS, you may wish to export this information for use in another application.  In this tutorial, we show you how to export SPSS output as a Word, Excel, PDF or other file type. Quick Steps Ensure that your output file is open in the … Read more

In this tutorial we show you how to report a Pearson correlation coefficient performed in SPSS in APA style.  For additional information about formatting your reports, please refer to the APA Style website. First, we provide two templates that you can use to report your Pearson correlation coefficients in APA style.  Then we show you … Read more

This tutorial shows you how to create APA style charts in SPSS.  Charts are referred to as “figures” in the APA Style guidelines and include bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, scatter plots, histograms, and so on. Quick Steps Create your desired chart in SPSS Double-click on the chart in the SPSS Output Viewer Select … Read more

In this tutorial, we show you how to report a Chi Square Test of Independence performed in SPSS in APA style.  For additional information about formatting your reports in APA style, please refer to the APA Style website. First, we provide a template that you can use to report your Chi Square Test of Independence … Read more

Sorting data in SPSS involves reordering the records or cases (rows) in your data set based on the values for one or more of the variables (fields or columns) in that data set. Some procedures in SPSS require that you sort your data in a specific way before you use them. In addition, sorting can … Read more

Scatter plots allow us to visualize the relationship between two numeric variables.  This quick tutorial will show you the easiest method to create a simple scatter plot in SPSS. Quick Steps Click Graphs -> Legacy Dialogs -> Scatter/Dot (in older versions of SPSS) ORClick Graphs > Scatter/Dot (in newer versions of SPSS) Select Simple Scatter Click Define … Read more

This tutorial will show you how to calculate and interpret z scores in the SPSS statistical package. Z scores are variables that have been standardized such that they have a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Quick Steps Click Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Descriptives Click “Reset” (recommended) Selected the variable(s) that … Read more

This tutorial will show you how to create a stem and leaf plot in the SPSS statistical package. Quick Steps Click Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Explore Click “Reset” (recommended) Move the variable you wish to plot into the “Dependent List” box Click the “Plots” button Ensure the “Stem-and-leaf” option is selected under “Descriptive” Under … Read more

This tutorial will show you the quickest method to create a stacked bar chart to visualize the relationship between two variables in the SPSS statistical package. Quick Steps Click Graphs -> Legacy Dialogs -> Bar Select “Stacked” and “Summaries for groups of cases” Click Define Move the variable you wish to display on the horizontal … Read more