SPSS Data Analysis and Google Search Results
SPSS is a statistical analysis program that is widely used by today’s researchers, and anyone who crosses paths with statistical analysis has heard of this software. Since it is common, all researchers conduct searches on SPSS from Google to get information about the SPSS program.
The word group “SPSS analysis” comes first among searches for information about the SPSS program and statistical analysis applications. Thanks to this search, there are many researchers who want to learn how to apply both statistical analysis and SPSS. The goal is to hit two birds with one stone!
However, as a result of this search, there is a big problem in terms of our language. Also, the perception that there is a statistical data analysis technique called SPSS analysis creates a scientific problem. Let us now examine this issue in depth.
Is There SPSS Data Analysis?
We can easily answer this question: There has never been such an analysis technique and never will be. All researchers working on statistics apply many techniques such as correlation analysis, factor analysis, regression analysis, analysis of variance, and there is no harm in applying them. However, when SPSS analysis is mentioned, there is a perception as if there is a classical hypothesis testing technique or modeling method.
SPSS is a stand-alone data analysis program and both trial versions and paid versions of this program can be downloaded (for a substantial fee). SPSS is not an analysis technique; but the program includes basic statistical analysis methods used in scientific research. Statistical techniques in SPSS, from hypothesis testing to regression analysis; It covers many different topics from data mining to time series analysis.
The SPSS program was developed for social sciences as required by its own expansion (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), and as time passed, it became popular in science as well. It is a software used for different applications such as reliability analysis and factor analysis, especially in survey studies. In summary, the purpose of SPSS can be understood.
For the analysis of survey studies, we use various concepts such as the survey analysis from time to time. As the concept of SPSS analysis is established for the SPSS program, it is problematic in terms of scientific use to be perceived as if such a technique exists. Instead of this search, terms such as “statistical data analysis with the SPSS program” seem more appropriate for Turkish, just as some researchers do.
Of course, let’s use the concept of SPSS analysis in a pragmatist way to quickly access Google resources during our searches, but keeping in mind that there is no technique defined as SPSS analysis.
Spss data analysis entry example? Spss survey data entry?
Spss package program window has two different windows as ‘data view’ and ‘variable view’. In the Spss program, the variables (that is, the ‘variable view’ window is entered for each of the questions) must be defined.
Important considerations
The biggest mistake when performing SPSS analyzes is to use traditional approaches. In rude words, the expression “my teacher did it like this, so I should do it like that” is a traditional approach. The important thing in analyzes is not who analyzes how, but whether the criteria are met or not. Which analyzes will be carried out in the SPSS program should be planned before starting the study (survey, laboratory or field tests) and should act accordingly during the study. Trying to decide which analyzes to do after the study is a very risky situation and may cause all the measurements made to be wasted. For this reason, if SPSS or another analysis program will be used, it will be in the interest of the researcher to consult an expert before starting the study.