Course: Intro to SPSS

General

General
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Welcome to "SPSS 1," a course structured to help you navigate through the complexities of one of the world's most popular statistical software packages. SPSS, or Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, is a dynamic tool embraced by researchers, analysts, and students to manage, analyze, and visualize data in a comprehensive and meaningful manner. Its user-friendly interface and wide-ranging features make SPSS an invaluable resource in diverse fields, ranging from social sciences and healthcare research to market research and business analytics.
This course begins with an introduction to SPSS, highlighting its key functionalities. Participants learn to maneuver through the SPSS interface, import and input data, and define variable properties. The course then transitions into data cleaning and preparation, ensuring data priming for analysis. There's a deep dive into finding summary numbers and creating graphical visualizations for both univariate and bivariate data. Interactive activities and practical exercises are woven into the course, providing valuable hands-on experience and facilitating the application of newly acquired knowledge in real-time.
By the conclusion of "SPSS 1," a solid foundation in SPSS will be established, alongside the capability to conduct preliminary data analysis with confidence. Whether new to statistical software or an experienced analyst seeking to refresh SPSS skills, this course promises a robust start.
There are three (3) modules to complete, which include:
Module 1: Understanding the SPSS Interface
Module 2: Data Import and Management
Module 3: Descriptive Statistics, Charts, and Graphs with SPSS

This course was developed by Dr. Marco Aurelio Hernandez (Ph.D., MSc (Stat and Edu), BSc) and Alixandria Ali (BSc).

Engaging with this course
To register for this course, complete the registration form. Begin the course with Module 1. For each lesson, read the description.
You can click on the collection of resources in each module.
There is a forum in each Module for activity submission and peer evaluation, and you can add a new topic or respond to a previous one. You can share your learning from this and other readings, comment on the topics from your own experience, comment on others' posts, or provide feedback on how we can improve the content and/or presentation.
There is a final quiz to assess your understanding of some important concepts. Click on the hyperlinks to take you to these items in each topic.

Requirements to obtain the certificate
You may browse this course for free to learn for your personal enrichment. There are no requirements.
To PASS and obtain a certificate, a learner must successfully complete:
All reading requirements
All activity discussion forums
The final exam with a minimum of 80% and a maximum of 3 attempts
The self and course evaluation forms

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Module 1: Understanding the SPSS Interface
Competency covered in this module:
- Understand the features and functions of SPSS.
Module 1: Lesson 1: What is SPSS?
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain what SPSS is and what it is used for.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 2 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 File
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Introduction to SPSS File 36.7KB PDF document
  Read the entire article (2 mins)
Module 1: Lesson 2: The Six Windows of the SPSS Interface: The Data Editor, the Output Viewer, the Pivot Table Editor, the Chart Editor, the Text Output Editor, and the Syntax Editor
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Navigate and explain the functions of the six interface windows of SPSS.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 8 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 File
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- The Six Windows of the SPSS Interface File 2.3MB PDF document
  Read the entire article. (8 minutes)
Module 1: Lesson 3: Navigating SPSS Sessions
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Start and end an SPSS session and know when and how to get help while using the application.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 58 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 File, 1 Forum
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Starting and Ending an SPSS Session File 90.8KB PDF document
  Read the entire article. (2 minutes)
- Module 1: Familiarity with SPSS Forum
  Objective:
  In this activity, you will apply the knowledge and skills acquired in Module 1. This involves explaining the purpose of SPSS, efficiently navigating its interface, and initiating and terminating an SPSS session.
  
  Instructions:
  Launch the SPSS software on your computer.
  Describe what each of the six windows in the SPSS interface is used for. Use screenshots to illustrate your points.
  Import a simple dataset (you may create a small one if needed). Explain how each window of the SPSS interface contributes to the process of data importation, analysis, and output generation.
  Data Editor Window.
  Output Viewer.
  Pivot Table Editor.
  Chart Editor.
  Text Output Editor.
  Syntax Editor.
  Conduct a simple descriptive analysis (like mean or frequency) on one of your variables and generate an output.
  Modify the output using the Pivot Table Editor and Chart Editor. Explain the changes you made and why.
  Save your work in SPSS by creating a new dataset.
  Close the dataset, and then exit SPSS. Explain the steps you took to accomplish this.
  Finally, explore the Help Topics in SPSS. Find information on how to calculate the median in SPSS and provide a brief explanation.
  
  Deliverable:
  For this activity, submit a document that:
  Explains what SPSS is and what it is used for.
  Provides a walkthrough of your process, with screenshots and accompanying explanations.
  Includes a brief summary of how to calculate the median in SPSS based on the Help Topics information.
  Remember, this activity is designed to demonstrate your understanding of SPSS's key features and functionality.
  
  By completing this activity, you will meet the following learning outcomes:
  Explain what SPSS is and what it is used for.
  Navigate and explain the functions of the six interface windows of SPSS.
  Start and end an SPSS session, and know when and how to get help while using the application.
  Note: Be aware of privacy and confidentiality obligations when using and sharing data. Ensure the data you use for this exercise is either fabricated or anonymized to eliminate any identifying details.
  To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button at the bottom of this post, then click on the “Advanced” button as shown in the picture below.
  
  Drag and drop your completed template inside the “Attachment” as shown in the picture below and click on “Post” after you have uploaded your completed template.
  To complete this activity, you will need to reply to at least one post made by your peers respectfully and professionally. Be sure that your post engages your peers' ideas by providing feedback on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential problems/solutions, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion list below, write your feedback, and then click on “Post to forum.”
- Quiz: Module 1
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Module 1: Familiarity with SPSS is marked complete
  To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the "Preview quiz now" button to respond to the questions.
  TO PASS THIS QUIZ, YOU MUST OBTAIN A SCORE OF 80%
Module 2: Data Import and Management
Competency covered in this module:
- Import and manage different types of data in SPSS.
Module 2: Lesson 1: Inputting and Importing Data
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Input data into SPSS by importing from outside sources or using an existing data file.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 38 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
2 Files
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Getting Up and Running with SPSS File 7.2MB PDF document
  Read the entire article. (23 minutes)
- Loading Data and Defining Variables in SPSS File 2.1MB PDF document
  Watch the entire presentation. (15 minutes)
Module 2: Lesson 2: Saving Your SPSS Data File
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Save either new or pre-existing data files in SPSS.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 28 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
3 Files
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Saving Data in SPSS - Overview File 57.9KB PDF document
  Read the entire article. (2 minutes)
- Saving Data Files in SPSS: A Hands-On Tutorial 2.1MB PDF document
  Read the entire article. (15 minutes)
- Saving Your Data in SPSS File 845.7KB PDF document
  Watch the entire presentation. (8 minutes)
Module 2: Lesson 3: Cleaning a Dataset in SPSS
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Clean and prepare a dataset for analysis.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 File
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Learning Resource File 1.2MB PDF document
  Watch the entire presentation. (15 minutes)
- Module 2: Practical Exercise on SPSS Forum
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Quiz: Module 1 is complete and passed
  Objective:
  Apply your learning from Module 2 to a practical SPSS task. You will demonstrate your understanding of importing and inputting data, defining variable properties, cleaning data, and saving your work within SPSS.
  Instructions:
  Launch the SPSS software on your computer.
  Import an Excel data set (you may use one of your own or create one for this task).
  Familiarize yourself with the default variable names and properties assigned by SPSS.
  Use the Variable View tab and apply the appropriate guidelines to rename your variables.
  Reflect on the properties of each variable and make adjustments where necessary. These properties include type, width, decimal places, labels, values, and measure.
  Review your data in the Data View tab. Are there any necessary adjustments that need to be made to ensure your dataset is clean and ready for analysis?
  Save your work by going to File > Save As. Make sure it is saved as a .sav file (the usual format for datasets in SPSS).
  Test your saved file by attempting to open it from the File > Open > Data pathway.
  Deliverable:
  For this activity, you will submit screenshots of your process, accompanied by a brief explanation of each step. This documentation can be in the form of a Word document or a PDF.
  
  This activity will help you practically apply the following learning outcomes:
  Inputting data into SPSS by importing from outside sources or using an existing data file.
  Saving new or pre-existing data files in SPSS.
  Cleaning and preparing a dataset for analysis
  Note: Be mindful of the privacy and confidentiality of your data. Do not use real data that could compromise the privacy of individuals or organizations.
  To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button at the bottom of this post, then click on the “Advanced” button as shown in the picture below.
  
  Drag and drop your completed template inside the “Attachment” as shown in the picture below and click on “Post” after you have uploaded your completed template.
  
  To complete this activity, you will need to reply to at least one post made by your peers respectfully and professionally. Be sure that your post engages your peers' ideas by providing feedback on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential problems/solutions, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion list below, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
- Quiz: Module 2
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Module 2: Practical Exercise on SPSS is marked complete
  To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.
  TO PASS THIS QUIZ, YOU MUST OBTAI A SCORE OF 80%
Module 3: Descriptive Statistics, Charts, and Graphs with SPSS
Competency covered in this module:
- Find descriptive statistics to summarize a dataset.
- Explore data relationships using charts and graphs.
Module 3: Lesson 1: Descriptive Statistics
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Find the summary numbers of a dataset using SPSS.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 20 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 URL
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Descriptive Statistics with SPSS URL
  Watch the entire video. (20 minutes)
Module 3: Lesson 2: Generating Graphs of Univariate Data
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Create and interpret graphs for univariate data (dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, pie charts, and box plots) using SPSS.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 44 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
2 URLs
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Graphing of Univariate Data Using SPSS Part 1 URL
  Watch the entire video. (25 minutes)
- Graphing of Univariate Data Using SPSS Part 2 URL
  Watch the entire video. (19 minutes)
Module 3: Lesson 3: Generate a Frequency Table and Its Accompanying Graphs
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Create a frequency table, a frequency histogram, and an ogive from a univariate dataset using SPSS.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 21 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 URL
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Creating a Frequency Table, Frequency Histogram, and the Ogive with SPSS URL
  Watch the entire video. (21 minutes)
Module 3: Lesson 4: Generating Graphs of Bivariate Data
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Create and interpret graphs for bivariate data using SPSS.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 1 hour and 26 minutes.

Click here to start this lesson
1 URL
- Required Learning Resources and Activities
- Bivariate Graphing with SPSS URL
  Watch the entire video. (36 minutes)
- Module 3: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with SPSS Forum
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Quiz: Module 2 is complete and passed
  Objective:
  The objective of this activity is to apply the skills and knowledge you have obtained in Module 3. You will be working with SPSS to find summary numbers, create graphs for univariate and bivariate data, and produce frequency tables and histograms.
  Instructions:
  Launch SPSS and import a dataset or create a new one.
  Identify a variable in your dataset that you will use to find summary numbers.
  Using the “Analyze > Descriptive Statistics” menu, find the summary numbers for your identified variable.
  Identify a nominal variable in your dataset and create a pie chart to visualize the distribution. Similarly, create a box plot for this variable.
  For a continuous variable in your dataset, create a frequency table, histogram, and an ogive to visualize the distribution.
  Identify two variables for bivariate analysis in your dataset. Create a scatterplot to visualize the relationship between these two variables.
  Analyze and interpret the graphs you have created.
  Deliverable:
  For this activity, submit a document that:
  Provides screenshots of the process and final output of each step and explains your actions.
  Includes an interpretation of the data visualizations and summary numbers you have obtained.
  This comprehensive activity will help you achieve the following learning outcomes:
  Find the summary numbers of a dataset using SPSS.
  Create and interpret graphs for univariate data (dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, pie charts, and box plots) using SPSS.
  Create a frequency table, a frequency histogram, and an ogive from a univariate dataset using SPSS.
  Create and interpret graphs for bivariate data using SPSS.
  
  Note: Be mindful of privacy and confidentiality obligations when using and sharing data. Ensure the data you use for this exercise is either made up or anonymized to prevent any violations of these obligations.
  To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button at the bottom of this post, then click on the “Advanced” button as shown in the picture below.
  
  Drag and drop your completed template inside the “Attachment” as shown in the picture below and click on “Post” after you have uploaded your completed template.
  
  To complete this activity, you will need to reply to at least one post made by your peers respectfully and professionally. Be sure that your post engages your peers' ideas by providing feedback on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential problems/solutions, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion list below, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
- Quiz: Module 3
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Module 3: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with SPSS is marked complete
  To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.
  TO PASS THIS QUIZ, YOU MUST OBTAIN A SCORE OF 80%
Final Exam

Click here to start Final Examination
- Final Exam Quiz
  Restricted Not available unless:
  All of:
  The activity Course Registration is marked complete
  The activity Pre-Test is marked complete
  The activity Quiz: Module 1 is marked complete
  The activity Quiz: Module 2 is marked complete
  The activity Quiz: Module 3 is marked complete
  All of:
  The activity Module 1: Familiarity with SPSS is marked complete
  The activity Module 2: Practical Exercise on SPSS is marked complete
  The activity Module 3: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with SPSS is marked complete
  
  To take the final exam, you must complete all quizzes and complete all the required activities. The final exam consists of 21 questions, and you will have 21 minutes to complete it. When the time is over, you will have two minutes to submit your attempt before it expires, and your progress is discarded. You will not be able to answer additional questions in the grace period.
  To access the exam, click on the name of the exam provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to respond to the questions.
Course and Self Evaluation & Certificate

In this section, you can provide feedback about this course to help us make NextGenU.org better. Once evaluations are completed, you will be able to download your certificate of completion.

Click here give your feedback
- Course Evaluation Questionnaire
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Final Exam is marked complete
- Self Evaluation Questionnaire
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Final Exam is marked complete
Course Activities

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- Activities. Page

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Required Learning Resources and Activities

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Required Learning Resources and Activities

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Required Learning Resources and Activities

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Required Learning Resources and Activities

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources and Activities

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources and Activities

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources and Activities