Software Functions
IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) is a simple and incorporated computer program used to analyze and interpret data. It is used by researchers, analysts, and business people because it has analytical and statistical abilities. The software has various features such as planning, reporting, data preparation, analyzing, and implementation. In addition, SPSS provides a supple use of options for standalone business applications. It is important to note that IBM has created different versions namely SPSS 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, 14.0 and 16.0. Field (2000) points out that SPSS software is compatible with other programs like Excel 2007, making it very easy to convert data in Excel to an SPSS data file. It is also easy to save SPSS data files to Excel spreadsheets directly. It is also possible to open an Access database using advanced SPSS programs. It is also possible to customize the variable attribute that needs to be displayed in SPSS files.
Instructions for Use
IBM SPSS is one of the statistical packages used for analyzing and interpreting data. SPSS is, by far, the most common software used by psychologists. The help section is very important for anyone new to SPSS. The help section of SPSS has basic data analysis menus and dialog boxes which are very easy to use without actually learning SPSS. The dialog and menu boxes are useful because they provide options for every step taken during data analysis. The help section provides interpretation and questions that help psychologists have a better understanding and interpret results. Therefore, SPSS helps in estimating the variance and mean of the underlying population.
In the help section, there are directions on how to use the three main windows and the menu bar at the top; it allows the user to view data, see the output and be able to see any other programming item which has been used. Therefore, it is important to note that psychology is a science and just like any other discipline, it requires extensive research. Psychologist gets their information through systematic observation on a particular subject matter (mostly human beings). Habing (2003) argues that human beings are very difficult to analyze because they vary over a given time. The work of the psychologist is difficult and for them to determine how human beings react to a particular situation, then psychologist needs to use statistical software to predict what trends are present in the data they have on an individual or a population. Thus, psychologists are likely to use IBM SPSS in psychological research.
Validity has two distinct sections namely the research section and the degree to which a test measures some data. Thus, validity indicates the extent to which a study supports the anticipated conclusion drawn from the final output. Validity is further classified into four; external validity, construct validity, statistical validity, and internal validity. Internal validity is considered as an inductive approximation of the extent to which conclusions on causes of associations have high chances to be true, particularly the view of the measures used, the entire research design, and the research setting. An efficient experimental procedure in which the outcome of an independent variable on a dependent variable is monitored under a highly controlled condition, normally allows a high degree of internal validity than any single case design. Therefore, internal validity supports the conclusion that the casual variable influences the variables in the study (Field, 2000).
References
Field, A. (2000). Discovering Statistics using SPSS for Windows. London – Thousand Oaks –New Delhi: Sage publications.
Habing, B. (2003). Exploratory Factor Analysis. Web.