A Conceptual Guide to Statistics Using SPSS
- Elliot T. Berkman - University of Oregon, USA, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Steven P. Reise - University of California, Los Angeles, USA
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.
Clear explanations and nice visuals. This book would possibly serve as a nice supplementary text in a course in which another book with more theoretical information about the methods. I didn't adopt because the book doesn't include the nonparametric methods I am required to teach.
Excellent book for my students
like Salkind better
Course being retooled - but this book may be a possibility for the future.
More detail than I need
Compared to other potential texts, this book is an easy read that is less intimidating, but contains much of the same information. The availability of data files and PowerPoint slides from the author's website facilitated the understanding of complex numerical concepts that can be somewhat challenging.
At this time this book is still being reviewed by faculty
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.
Looks helpful in teaching SPSS
Not cast at the right level for my needs.
