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A Conceptual Guide to Statistics Using SPSS
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A Conceptual Guide to Statistics Using SPSS



June 2011 | 312 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
This book helps students develop a conceptual understanding of a variety of statistical tests by linking the statistics with the computational steps and output from SPSS. Learning how statistical ideas map onto computation in SPSS will help students build a better understanding of both. For example, seeing exactly how the concept of variance is used in SPSS-how it is converted into a number based on real data, which other concepts it is associated with, and where it appears in various statistical tests-will not only help students understand how to use statistical tests in SPSS and how to interpret their output, but will also teach them about the concept of variance itself.

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, pointing out wherever possible how the SPSS procedure and output connects back to the conceptual underpinnings of the test. Each of the steps is accompanied by annotated screen shots from SPSS, and relevant components of output are highlighted in both the text and in the figures.

Sections explain the conceptual machinery underlying the statistical tests. In contrast to merely presenting the equations for computing the statistic, these sections describe the idea behind each test in plain language and help students make the connection between the ideas and SPSS procedures. These include extensive treatment of custom hypothesis testing in ANOVA, MANOVA, ANCOVA, and regression, and an entire chapter on the advanced matrix algebra functions available only through syntax in SPSS.

The book will be appropriate for both advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses in statistics.

 
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

At this time this book is still being reviewed by faculty

Professor David Bambridge
N/A, Warner Univ
September 14, 2011

This is a helpful book. However, for my graduate students, I have decided that over time, Andy Field's work will remain a solid reference for whatever analyses they encounter or forgot completely and need to review how to conduct and write up results.

Dr G. Kevin Randall
Education, Bradley University
August 25, 2011

Looks helpful in teaching SPSS

Professor Doug Wedell
Psychology Dept, University of South Carolina
August 5, 2011

Not cast at the right level for my needs.

Randall Koper
Communication Dept, University of The Pacific
June 25, 2011

Too advanced for our students. But it is a very well-designed and written book.

Professor Christian Holle
Psychology Dept, William Paterson University
June 1, 2011

This would be used as more of an adjunct to students in famililarizing themselves with SPSS in social science. Possible use as a recommended text.

Dr Stephen Thompson
Social Science , National-Louis University
May 23, 2011

When individual graduate students are using SPSS for their statistical analysis, then I require them to purchase this text. It is easy to understand and concepts have been explained well. Also, this text is helpful for students in interpreting their statistical results.

Dr Rita McNeil
Human Resource Train Dev Dept, Idaho State University - Pocatello
May 17, 2011
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