Is SPSS v14 software self-explanatory?

Question:

I need to determine mean and standard deviations for survey results, but the response options vary. Also, I need to determine correlation coefficients between my quantiative data (test scores) and qualitative data (survey results). I've been told to use SPSS software, but I'm leary of purchasing software that I've never used.

Answer:
For correlation analysis, SPSS is worlds superior to Excel, once you get past the tough learning curve.

Download the eval copy of SPSS from their website and fiddle with it, and go to Borders and flip through some training manuals there.

You can do all of these analyses in MS Excel. SPSS is EXTREMELY expensive, so I wouldn't recommend purchasing it (unless you can get an academic copy which is much cheaper than retail). It is not an easy program to use - however, there are lots of books, etc. that offer help with SPSS. If you plan on doing any data analyses in the future (more complicated stuff, etc.) it is a great program to have on hand. If you only need it for this single class/project, I wouldn't recommend purchasing it, as you can do all of this in Excel (which is usually much more readily available).

Is SPSS v14 software self-explanatory?

Hot Topic