Unit 1: Introduction to SPSS

M. Tahir
Lecturer (HR),
Business Studies Department,
University of Technology and Applied
Sciences,
Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman
Email: spsstrainingsolutions@gmail.com
Muhammad.tahir@nct.edu.om
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants should be able to;
• Understand the SPSS Interface
• Able to Input the Variables and Data in SPSS
• Understand the Questionnaire Adaption Concept
• Able to Export Data from Google Form to SPSS
• Able to Test Reliability
 SPSS- Introduction
SPSS is a widely used program for statistical analysis in
social science. It is also used by market researchers, health researchers,
survey companies, government, etc. The following are the statistics you can perform using
the SPSS:
• Descriptive statistics: Cross tabulation, Frequencies, Descriptive, Explore, Descriptive
Ratio Statistics
• Bivariate statistics: Means, t-test, ANOVA, Correlation (bivariate, partial, distances),
Nonparametric tests, Bayesian
• Prediction for numerical outcomes: Linear regression
• Prediction for identifying groups: Factor analysis, cluster analysis (two-step, K-means,
hierarchical), Discriminant
• Geo spatial analysis, simulation
• R extension (GUI), Python
The many features of SPSS Statistics are accessible via pull-down menus or can be
programmed with a proprietary 4GL command syntax language.
SPSS Advantages and Limitations
Advantages Limitations
• Easy to learn • Expensive software to purchase
• Save time and efforts
• Limited functionality
• Exact calculations
• Various types of analysis possible
• Similar to MS Excel
• Enhanced functionality with Macros • Not compatible with Big
• A move from mechanical task to Datasets and all type of data
conceptual task of decision and
interpretation
• Compatible with other programs such
as AMOS
SPSS Interface
There are three windows in SPSS.
1. Variable View- used for inputting variable information
2. Data View- used for inputting data
3. Output view- display results
Variable View and Variable Input into SPSS
In Variable view, you can add the following information
• Name of variable (without space)
• Labels (full name of variable with space possible)
• Values (you use for coding scheme means different options related to answer
e.g.
1=male,
2=female
Other common options are
1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neutral, 4=agree, 5=strongly agree
You can leave Values blank if there is no such option.
Data View
• Once you have input the variable information, the Data view will
already display your data fields. (e.g. survey questions)
• You need to input data according to coding scheme you set in values
options.
• Each row in Data View represent one data
set e.g. one row for one respondent in a survey.
Few Words about Measurement Scale
Activity : Identify the suitable Measurement
Scale for the following;
• Place of living (Nizwa, Muscat, Adam) 1.Nominal
• Gender (Male, Female) 2.Ordinal
• Owner of Car type (e.g. Mercedez, Toyota, Honda) 3.Interval
• Political Affiliation (Democratic, Republicans)
• Tournament Team Ranking (1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position)
• Students Grades (A, B+, B, C+, C, D)
• Income
• Temperature
Practical Activity
• Input the Variables into SPSS given in MS Word File (Activity 1)
• Input the Data into SPSS given in MS Word File (Activity 2)
Questionnaire Adaption
• Adapted questionnaire are much better in terms of reliability and
validity
• Self made questionnaire based manuscripts are rejected fast in
reputed journals
• Questionnaire can be adapted and reference can be provided in
methodology part i.e. Measurement scale
 Google Form and SPSS
• Google form data can be
downloaded and imported into SPSS using
the command
• Commnand: File– Open– Data– Browse
file and import data

• Alternatively, input the variables and use

Cut-Paste option for the data. Text data
need to be changed to numerical data
before importing.
Reliability
• Purpose: to generate the Cronbach alpha for all variables

• Command Line: Analyze– Scale—Reliability Analysis—Shift the items

of one variable in the box, hit OK

• Reliability is tested by adding each variable items using the above

command. For each variable you have to repeat the command. The
Cronbach alpha value of above 0.70 is considered as an indication of
satisfactory reliability. Sometimes, value above 0.6 and even 0.50 is
also considered satisfactory. However, you have to search and use
some references to support this claim in your study.
Output Interpretation- Reliability
Variables Number of Items Cronbach Alpha
Loyalty Program 04 .672
Customer Service 09 .790
Customization 03 .845
Community 03 .799
Customer Retention 04 .855

The Cronbach alpha for all variables are above 0.60 so it is an indication
of satisfactory reliability (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016).
Additional Resources
• www.spssonlinetraining.blogspot.com
• A learning guide to IBM SPSS Statistics: Get the most out of your
statistical analysis
https://www.ibm.com/blogs/journey-to-ai/2020/06/a-learning-guide-
to-ibm-spss-statistics-get-the-most-out-of-your-statistical-analysis/

• SPSS Beginners Tutorial https://www.spss-tutorials.com/basics/

• IBM Knowledge Center
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSLVMB_23.0.0/sps
s/tutorials/introtut2.html
• SPSS Tutorial for beginners
https://www.statisticshowto.com/probability-and-statistics/spss-tutor
The End- Thank You