Essential First Steps to Data Analysis: Scenario-Based Examples Using SPSS

Carol S. Parkes Essential First Steps to Data Analysis: Scenario-Based Examples Using SPSS provides instruction and guidance on preparing quantitative data sets prior to answering a studys research questions. Such preparation may involve data management and manipulation tasks, data organization, structural changes to the data files, or conducting preliminary analysis. Twelve research-based scenarios are used to present the content. Each scenario tells the story of a researcher who thoroughly examined their data and the decisions they made along the way. The scenario begins with a description of the researchers study and his/her data file(s), then describes the issues the researcher must address, explains why they are important, shows how SPSS was used to address the issues and prepare data, and shares the researchers reflections and any additional decision-making. Finally, each scenario ends with the researchers written summary of the procedures and outcomes from the initial data preparation or analysis.