2004, St udent Lear ni ng Cent r e, Uni v er s i t y of Auc k l and

WWW: ht t p: / / www. s l c . auc k l and. ac . nz Emai l : s l c @auc k l and. ac . nz

8P88 Frequently Asked
Ouestions
What is 8P88?
As the SPSS manual states: "SPSS for Windows provides a powerful statistical analysis
and data management system in a graphical environment, using descriptive menus and
simple dialog boxes to do most of the work for you. Most tasks can be accomplished
simply by pointing and clicking the mouse (p. 1). In other words, SPSS is a really user-
friendly, easy to learn statistical analysis software package!

Where can get a copy of 8P88?
The University of Auckland has a site license for SPSS, so you should be able to get it
installed on any University computer (if it is not already). Version 12 is the current
licensed version. Unfortunately, the site license does not enable students to have copies
for their home computers. To use SPSS at home you have two options: Either enter your
data into Microsoft Excel and then analyse it at University (see below for details on
importing), or purchase the student version of SPSS. This is sold by SPSS NZ, visit their
website (http://www.spss.co.nz/) or call their office (09) 358 0331 for further
information.

What is the difference between the student version of 8P88
and the version on the University computers?
The main difference between the two packages is that the student version is limited to 50
variables and 1500 cases. In addition to this, SPSS command syntax is not available with
the Student Version. This means that it is not possible for you to repeat an analysis by
saving and running a series of commands in a syntax or job file, as can be done in the
full version of SPSS. There are a number of other minor differences; however these are
unlikely to be of importance for your analyses. A full list of differences can be found on
the SPSS website: http://www.spss.co.nz/.


2004, St udent Lear ni ng Cent r e, Uni v er s i t y of Auc k l and
WWW: ht t p: / / www. s l c . auc k l and. ac . nz Emai l : s l c @auc k l and. ac . nz

've bought the student version of 8P88 and now realise have
more than 50 variables - what can do?
In this case, where possible try and use different data sets for different analyses i.e.
have all the variables you need for one analysis in a file together. This means you may
end up with several different files but this should work out in the long run. Otherwise,
bring your data in to University and analyse it on the full version of the software.


My supervisor uses 8A8 - does that mean should use 8A8
instead of 8P88?
Not necessarily, although this depends on your supervisor. SAS is a much more difficult
package to learn and use, so unless you have very large data sets or need to perform
very complex statistical procedures we recommend that you use SPSS. However, if your
supervisors wish you to use the package that they are familiar with (which may be a
good idea depending on how proficient you are with SPSS) then comply. Having said
that, you could always enter your data in to SPSS, analyse what you can by yourself, and
then transfer your data over to SAS when you work with your supervisor (SPSS has a
capacity to read SAS files directly).


have entered my data into M8 Excel - can import this into
8P88?
Yes you can. Save your MS Excel file and then close the file. Return to SPSS and simply
open up your file in SPSS (if your file doesnt show in the `Open dialog box, try changing
`Files of Type to MS Excel). When you attempt to open your file, an import wizard will
appear in SPSS that will ask you a series of questions in order for SPSS to read the data
- if variable names are at the top of your file then make sure you tell SPSS that. Once
the import wizard is finished, your Excel file will appear in SPSS.
Keep in mind that you can also do a simple copy and paste from MS Excel to SPSS but
your variable names will not transfer over if you do it in this manner.


2004, St udent Lear ni ng Cent r e, Uni v er s i t y of Auc k l and
WWW: ht t p: / / www. s l c . auc k l and. ac . nz Emai l : s l c @auc k l and. ac . nz

want to transfer the graphs and tables have created in 8P88
into my assignments/dissertation/thesis - how can do this?
Select the graph or table you wish to transfer over and then right-click your mouse
button. This will bring up a series of options - select the `Copy option. Now, return to
your word processing document and choose Edit Paste Special from the menu bar.
This will bring up a numbers of options for how your graph/table will be pasted. Select
the format of your choice, followed by OK. Keep in mind that when you copy in this
manner, your graph or chart may be copied across as an actual `object and you will
therefore not be able to make changes to it - ensure everything is correct and in an
appropriate format before you transfer it over (see the SPSS Tips resource for details on
how to get your tables into an appropriate format).


'm pretty good at using 8P88 but don't know which statistical
test to use and what the results mean - how can find out
more about this?
Youve got quite a few options here. Firstly, keep in mind that SPSS has both a `Statistics
Coach and a `Results Coach. The Statistics Coach is available from the SPSS Help menu,
and when launched will ask you a series of questions to help you decide which statistical
procedure to use. To access the Results Coach, double-click on the table you wish to
understand, and then access the Help menu - the Results Coach will now be accessible.
Note that the Results Coach doesnt take you through your actual results but a table of
results similar to yours (i.e. the table will look the same but the numbers will be
different). Your second option is to come to the Student Learning Centre. We have a
workshop called `Research: A Quantitative Framework covering statistical theory in
relation to SPSS. Alternatively, we are happy to talk to you about your data on an
individual basis - visit the SLC website for details of an appropriate tutor. SLC also has a
number of textbooks and an interactive tutorial CD which discuss SPSS and statistical
theory - you are more than welcome to borrow these, but we will ask you for your ID
Card as security (to borrow the CD there is also a small charge). Thirdly, please keep in
mind that it is your supervisors responsibility to help you with statistical analyses. Make
sure that you are clear from the outset as to what your supervisors are and are not
willing to help with. If they are unable to help you, then they should be able to
recommend another academic staff member in your department who can help, or
alternatively a good statistics textbook for your discipline.