SPSS (Statistical package for the social sciences) is a set of software programs that are combined together in a single package. The basic application of this program is to analyse scientific data related to social science. This data can be used for market research, surveys, data mining, etc.
With the help of the obtained statistical information, researchers can easily understand the demand for a product in the market and can change their strategy accordingly. Basically, SPSS first stores and organises the provided data, and then it compiles the data set to produce suitable output. SPSS is designed in such a way that it can handle a large set of variable data formats.
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Core Feature of SPSS
The core features of SPSS are:
- Statistical program for quantitative data analysis – it includes frequencies, cross-tabulation, and bivariate statistics.
- Modeller program that allows for predictive modelling – it enables researchers to build and validate predictive models using the advanced statistical procedure.
Why SPSS?
SPSS is straightforward and has an English-like command language that helps the user get command over it easily. There are four programs introduced by SPSS that help a researcher with their data analysis needs.
Statistical Program
This program gives a large amount of basic statistical functionality, including frequencies, cross-tabulation etc.
Modeller Program
This program enables researchers to build and validate predictive models with the help of advanced statistical procedures.
Text Analytics for Survey Program
This program provides robust feedback analysis, through which we get a vision for the actual plan.
Visualisation Designer
This designer helps researchers create a wide variety of visuals like radial box plots and density charts.
How SPSS Helps in Research and Data Analysis Programs
SPSS is a revolutionary software designed to process critical data in simple steps mainly used by research scientists. Working on data is a complex and time-consuming task but with the help of this software, it can be handled easily and operate on information with the help of some techniques. These techniques are used to analyse, transform, and produce a characteristic pattern between different data variables. Moreover, the results can be obtained through graphical representation so that readers can understand them easily.
Below you will find some factors that are responsible for the process of data handling and its execution.
Data Transformation
This method is used to change the data’s format. The same type of data is integrated into one place once the data type is changed, making it simple to handle. You can enter various types of data into SPSS, and it will alter its structure in accordance with the specifications and needs of the system. It means that even if you change the operating system, SPSS can still work on old data.
Regression Analysis
To understand the relationship between dependent and interdependent variables that are stored in a data file, regression analysis is used. It also explains the effect of the change in the value of an interdependent on the dependent data. Regression analysis’s primary aim is to understand the type of relationship between different variables.
ANOVA (Analysis of variance)
ANOVA is a statistical method for comparing events, groups, or processes to determine their differences. You can determine which approach will be more effective for carrying out a task by doing this. You can determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a specific method by looking at the result.
MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance)
This technique is used to compare data from random variables with unknown values. The MANOVA technique can be used to analyse different populations and the factors that may influence their choice.
T-Tests
Researchers utilise this strategy to establish the difference in interests of two different types of groups and to understand the difference between two sample types. This test can also determine whether the output generated has any value or not.
The software was developed in 1960, but later in 2009, IBM acquired it. They have made some significant changes in the programming of SPSS and now it can perform many types of research tasks in various fields. Due to this, the use of this software is extended to many industries and organisations, such as marketing, healthcare, education, surveys etc.
There are other software like Excel that offer a good way of data organisation but SPSS is more suitable if you are doing an in-depth analysis.
