• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Analysis Factor

The Analysis Factor

Statistical Consulting, Resources, and Statistics Workshops for Researchers

  • Home
  • Our Programs
    • Membership
    • Online Workshops
    • Free Webinars
    • Consulting Services
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Our Core Values
    • Our Privacy Policy
    • Employment
    • Collaborate with Us
  • Statistical Resources
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Login

Another Great SPSS book: SPSS Programming and Data Management

by Karen Grace-Martin 2 Comments

Have you ever needed to do some major data management in SPSS and ended up with a syntax program that’s pages long?  This is the kind you couldn’t even do with the menus, because you’d tear your hair out with frustration because it took you four weeks to create some new variables.

I hope you’ve gotten started using Syntax, which not only gives you a record of how you’ve recoded and created all those new variables and exactly which options you chose in the  data analysis you’ve done.

But once you get started, you start to realize that some things feel a little clunky.  You have to run the same descriptive analysis on 47 different variables.  And while cutting and pasting is a heck of a lot easier than doing that in the menus, you wonder if there isn’t a better way.

There is.

SPSS syntax actually has a number of ways to increase programming efficiency, including macros, do loops, repeats.

I admit I haven’t used this stuff a lot, but I’m increasingly seeing just how useful it can be.  I’m much better trained in doing these kinds of things in SAS, so I admit I have been known to just import data into SAS to run manipulations.

But I just came across a great resources on doing sophisticated SPSS Syntax Programming, and it looks like some fabulous bedtime reading.  (Seriously).

And the best part is you can download it (or order it, if you’d like a copy to take to bed) from the author’s website, Raynald’s SPSS Tools, itself a great source of info on mastering SPSS.

So once you’ve gotten into the habit of hitting Paste instead of Okay, and gotten a bit used to SPSS syntax, and you’re ready to step your skills up a notch, this looks like a fabulous book.

[Edit]: As per Jon Peck in the comments below, the most recent version is now available at www.ibm.com/developerworks/spssdevcentral under Books and Articles.


Bookmark and Share

Want to learn more? If you’re just getting started with data analysis in SPSS, or would like a thorough refresher, please join us in our online workshop Introduction to Data Analysis in SPSS.

Getting Started with SPSS
Karen will introduce you to how SPSS is set up, some hidden features to make it easier to use, and some practical tips.

Tagged With: Raynald Levesque, spss syntax

Related Posts

  • SPSS Syntax 101
  • The Joy of Pasting SPSS Syntax
  • Variable Formats in SPSS Syntax
  • 3 Pieces of SPSS Syntax to Keep Handy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jon Peck says

    October 14, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Although Ray was instrumental in producing the first editions, he has not been involved with the book for some time. While I don’t know his plans for keeping an updated copy of the book on his website, I suggest that downloaders get the book from the SPSS Community site (www.ibm.com/developerworks/spssdevcentral) in the Books and Articles section, where you can also find many other resources. That way you can be sure of having the latest edition.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      October 14, 2013 at 6:48 pm

      Thanks, Jon. I didn’t know that. I will edit the post to reflect the new info, in case anyone doesn’t read all the comments.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please note that, due to the large number of comments submitted, any questions on problems related to a personal study/project will not be answered. We suggest joining Statistically Speaking, where you have access to a private forum and more resources 24/7.

Primary Sidebar

This Month’s Statistically Speaking Live Training

  • Member Training: Introduction to SPSS Software Tutorial

Upcoming Free Webinars

Poisson and Negative Binomial Regression Models for Count Data

Upcoming Workshops

  • Analyzing Count Data: Poisson, Negative Binomial, and Other Essential Models (Jul 2022)
  • Introduction to Generalized Linear Mixed Models (Jul 2022)

Copyright © 2008–2022 The Analysis Factor, LLC. All rights reserved.
877-272-8096   Contact Us

The Analysis Factor uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience of our website. If you continue we assume that you consent to receive cookies on all websites from The Analysis Factor.
Continue Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT