Introductory Statistics For Researchers Using SPSS

This course is designed as an introduction to statistical analysis for researchers. There is emphasis on understanding the concepts of statistical procedures (with a minimum of mathematics, although some will be discussed) and on interpreting computer output.

It is designed to help you, the researcher. It is helpful if you have done an undergraduate statistics subject, although this workshop can serve as a first introduction or a refresher. The theory behind the statistical procedures will, in general, not be discussed.

A range of statistical analyses will be discussed in the workshop, as described in the outline below. We will talk through examples of all analysis types and will demonstrate how to carry them out in SPSS.

Equal emphasis will also be put on interpreting the output of these analyses. There will be plenty of practical work. You will be expected to watch this seminar on study design and statistical principles (samples and populations, confounding, statistical inference) ahead of the workshop.

Course Outline

Revision

• SPSS basics

• Descriptive statistics – mean, mode, standard deviation, inter-quartile range, correlation

• Data visualisation - boxplot, histogram, scatterplot, bar graph

Introduction to statistical inference

• Uncertainty, confidence intervals, p-values, significance

• T-test (comparing two groups)

• Checking model assumptions

Analysis of continuous responses with linear models

• Simple linear regression

• ANOVA

• Multiple regression, ANCOVA

Analysis of categorical responses

• Relative risk, odds ratios

• Chi-square test

• Logistic regression

Prerequisites:

SPSS access. If you have a UNSW zID you can access SPSS through myAccess. If you do not have a UNSW zID, we cannot provide access to SPSS.

C?ourse Requirements:

• You will need to bring and use your own computer during the course.

Location: 

This course will be delivered mainly in person with limited remote

You will receive a certificate of completion for the course.