Looking for easier, more efficient ways to use SPSS? As a complex and comprehensive program, even those who are used to the software may be missing out on some of the tips and tricks that can make analysing data with SPSS a piece of cake. In fact, it’s often some of the more basic ideas that catch people out, even after they have been on an SPSS training course. Check out our top five SPSS tips below for some quick and practical hints.
1) Save your master copy
It’s a really good idea to back up your original data so you have a master copy to return to should you wish to take your analysis down a different path. Leaving a paper trail as you go along, by saving as a new file each time you make a significant or permanent change to your dataset, is another top tip, as this allows you to revert back to different data transformations and analyses as and when you need to.
2) Start simple
Don’t jump in at the deep end with complicated mathematical analyses without finding out what simpler information you can obtain from your data set. Start with a descriptive analysis to provide a context to more complex procedures, and use the information you glean from this to guide you when investigating further patterns.
3) Keep your software up to date
To get the most out of SPSS, make sure you are keeping your software up to date. This does not necessarily mean buying the latest version of SPSS. The manufacturer releases updates and patches on the program frequently and downloading these updates ensures your SPSS software remains effective. To download patches, click on Help, then Check for Updates.
4) Take advantage of the temporary command
The temporary command does exactly what is says on the tin - it performs temporary data transformation which is then reversed after the first procedure you run.
This can be a valuable tool, particularly if you are analysing large datasets that could take quite a bit of time to run a syntax on. Instead, it is possible to perform a transformation on a subset of the data as a test, before running the same analysis on all of your statistics.
5) Keep an eye on your output files
SPSS allows you to have several output files open at once, but it will only transfer data to the one that is “active”. Make sure you are aware which file is active so you can keep an eye on where your analyses are ending up.
1) Save your master copy
It’s a really good idea to back up your original data so you have a master copy to return to should you wish to take your analysis down a different path. Leaving a paper trail as you go along, by saving as a new file each time you make a significant or permanent change to your dataset, is another top tip, as this allows you to revert back to different data transformations and analyses as and when you need to.
2) Start simple
Don’t jump in at the deep end with complicated mathematical analyses without finding out what simpler information you can obtain from your data set. Start with a descriptive analysis to provide a context to more complex procedures, and use the information you glean from this to guide you when investigating further patterns.
3) Keep your software up to date
To get the most out of SPSS, make sure you are keeping your software up to date. This does not necessarily mean buying the latest version of SPSS. The manufacturer releases updates and patches on the program frequently and downloading these updates ensures your SPSS software remains effective. To download patches, click on Help, then Check for Updates.
4) Take advantage of the temporary command
The temporary command does exactly what is says on the tin - it performs temporary data transformation which is then reversed after the first procedure you run.
This can be a valuable tool, particularly if you are analysing large datasets that could take quite a bit of time to run a syntax on. Instead, it is possible to perform a transformation on a subset of the data as a test, before running the same analysis on all of your statistics.
5) Keep an eye on your output files
SPSS allows you to have several output files open at once, but it will only transfer data to the one that is “active”. Make sure you are aware which file is active so you can keep an eye on where your analyses are ending up.
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