Most people find it daunting to start learning a new computer program, especially when it is niche software they may never have encountered before. However, once you have learned a few basic rules about the program and practised using it with the guidance of an expert, almost all software can become second nature eventually - after all, developers pay a lot of attention to making their products as intuitive as possible.
When it comes to opening SPSS for the first time, it can look like there is simply too much to learn, which is why hiring an SPSS training is most people’s first port of call. This is a great investment for the future, as nothing really beats having an SPSS expert take you over the basics and answer your questions face to face. Even once people have been using SPSS for a while, they often attend SPSS training courses to brush up on their skills and learn more advanced uses of the software, particularly when upgrading to a new version of the program.
But even before you hire a tutor, there are some things you can do by yourself to make the learning process that little bit easier. Take some time to sit down and look over the program, instead of trying to jump straight in with a data set and feeling your way through it.
A good tip is to familiarise yourself with the layout of the tools SPSS provides by clicking through the toolbar menu. When it comes to learning how to use the program it will be invaluable to have some sense of where each function is located and what tools are available to you.
The ‘Help’ section of SPSS is one extremely useful tool to help you learn more about the program - with a full manual available within the software itself - and this is a good place to start as a beginner. To access instructions on how to use each function, simply click on the function you wish to use and in the box that appears, click ‘Help’.
While this is a very basic way to start with a new program, taking small steps like this can really help you retain knowledge in the long run, so try not to rush ahead.
Stay tuned for more in depth tips on using SPSS.
When it comes to opening SPSS for the first time, it can look like there is simply too much to learn, which is why hiring an SPSS training is most people’s first port of call. This is a great investment for the future, as nothing really beats having an SPSS expert take you over the basics and answer your questions face to face. Even once people have been using SPSS for a while, they often attend SPSS training courses to brush up on their skills and learn more advanced uses of the software, particularly when upgrading to a new version of the program.
But even before you hire a tutor, there are some things you can do by yourself to make the learning process that little bit easier. Take some time to sit down and look over the program, instead of trying to jump straight in with a data set and feeling your way through it.
A good tip is to familiarise yourself with the layout of the tools SPSS provides by clicking through the toolbar menu. When it comes to learning how to use the program it will be invaluable to have some sense of where each function is located and what tools are available to you.
The ‘Help’ section of SPSS is one extremely useful tool to help you learn more about the program - with a full manual available within the software itself - and this is a good place to start as a beginner. To access instructions on how to use each function, simply click on the function you wish to use and in the box that appears, click ‘Help’.
While this is a very basic way to start with a new program, taking small steps like this can really help you retain knowledge in the long run, so try not to rush ahead.
Stay tuned for more in depth tips on using SPSS.