Statistical Methods for Practice and Research : A Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS

There is a growing trend these days to use statistical methods to comprehend and explain various situations and phenomena in different disciplines. Managers, social scientists and practicing researchers are increasingly collecting information and applying scientific methods to analyze the data. The ability to use statistical methods and tools becomes a crucial skill for the success of such efforts. This book is designed to assist students, managers, academics and researchers in solving statistical problems using SPSS and to help them understand how they can apply various statistical tools for their own research problems. SPSS is a very powerful and user friendly computer package for data analyses. It can take data from most other file types and generate tables, charts, plots, and descriptive statistics, and conduct complex statistical analyses. After providing a brief overview of SPSS and basic statistical concepts, the book covers: - Descriptive statistics - t-tests, chi-square tests and ANOVA - Correlation analysis - Multiple and logistics regression - Factor analysis and testing scale reliability - Advanced data handling Illustrated with simple, practical problems, and screen shots, this book outlines the steps for solving statistical problems using SPSS. Although the illustrations are based on version 16.0 of SPSS, users of the earlier versions will find the book equally useful and relevant. Written in a reader-friendly, non-technical style, this book will serve as a companion volume to any statistics textbook.