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Lab 1 Notes

Installing SPSS

To install SPSS on your computer, insert the CD-ROM that came with your book into your CD-ROM drive.  A screen will appear with a link to install SPSS.  Click on this link and follow the instructions.  Once you complete this step, you will find an SPSS icon on the windows desktop and in the start menu by clicking Start and then Programs.  From now on, I will give such menu commands as, Start > Programs.

Starting SPSS

Option 1:  Double-click on the SPSS icon on the desktop.

Option 2:  Click Start > Programs > SPSS 8.0 for Windows

Loading a Data Set

Option 1:  Click the Open File button on the toolbar.

Option 2:  Click File > Open.  Then click on the Look in: field and select the drive and folder that contains your data set.  For example, to open the data sets on the CD-ROM, select your CD-ROM drive (probably the D: drive), then double-click the datasets folder, followed by the Investigating the Social Worlds folder.  Then double-click the data set you want to work with.

Saving a Data Set

Option 1: Click the Save File button on the toolbar.

Option 2: Click File > Save As...  Then click on the Save in: field and select the drive and folder where you want to save your data set.  For example, you probably will want to save the data set Race96 to your computer, so that you don't have to use the CD-ROM each time.  With that data set open, choose Save As... and Save In: (C:) > Program Files > SPSS.

Finding Variable Information

Option 1: Click the Variables button on the toolbar.  This button shows a column with a question mark.  This option is the best way to find variable information like value labels, because it gives the most complete set of information.

Option 2: Toggle between values and value labels in the Data Editor by clicking on the Value Labels button on the toolbar.  This button is on the right-hand side of the toolbar and resembles a small price tag.

Entering Data

Define a new variable by right-clicking on the top of the first blank column and selecting Define Variable.  Then, you will see the Define Variable dialog box, which allows you to specify a variable name, type, labels, and measurement level.  Click OK after you have made any necessary changes.  You should see that SPSS has created a new variable with the name you specified.  Simply enter the data values into each cell and press Enter.  Be sure to save your work often.

Finding Help

Option 1: Click Help > Topics to look for specific information or Help > Tutorial to run the SPSS tutorial.

Option 2: Click the Help button from any dialog box to find help on the task you're currently working on.