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Overview of SPSS
Interface
Getting Started
Managing Data
Descriptive Statistics
Basic Analysis
Additional Resources
NYU Data Services
 Tutorials and support for academic software
 One-on-one consultation by appointment
 Data Services website:
– http://nyu.libguides.com/dataservices
– Google “nyu data services”
 Training tab
– Slides and sample code
– External resources
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SPSS is a statistical package that allows advanced
data analysis, management, and graphics.
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SPSS has capabilities similar to Stata, SAS, Minitab
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There are SPSS student licenses available at NYU
computer store for Windows and Mac.
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You can also access it through VCL (vcl.nyu.edu) or
using NYU computers
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Data file (.sav)
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Syntax File (.sps)
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Commands should be written and saved in syntax rather then using
SPSS drop down menu:
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Some advantages to using syntax files:
o allows reusing commands (the same analysis can be quickly repeated on
different data sets as long as the variables name match)
o allows to copy, past and edit commands
o easier to read complex expressions
o allows sharing commands / methods with other researchers
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Output (.spv)
o Allows saving both the outcomes of our analysis but
can also help retrieve information for further use in a
syntax window.
o A bit messy – if we are running the same analysis
but for example excluding some cases/ outliers it
might be a little difficult to keep track of what is
what.
 Recoding Variables:
Can be necessary in several cases:
- reverse coded items
- continuous variables into grouping variables
- grouping variables in OLS
 Computing Variables
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For variable’s description:
Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Descriptives
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For frequencies:
Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Frequencies
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To detect outliers:
Analyze -> Descriptive Statistics -> Explore
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Scatter Plot:
Graphs -> Legacy Dialogs-> Scatter/dot
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Histograms:
Graphs -> Legacy Dialogs-> Histograms
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OR
Analyze -> Legacy Dialog
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Some examples:
Correlation Analyze -> Correlate -> Bivariate
T-tests Analyze -> Compare Means ->
Regression Analyze -> Regression-> Linear
ANOVA Analyze -> General Linear Models
Additional Help
 The Data Services staff is available to answer
SPSS related questions.
– Email: data.services@nyu.edu
– Phone: (212)-998-3434
– Location: 5th Floor of Bobst Library
 Please refer to the Data Services training
page
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Please follow the link below:
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This will only take a few minutes and
help us a great lot in improving the
tutorial
bit.ly/IntroSPSS