Research Design and SPSS

What are the basic principles of SPSS?

• Each participant on one row

• Categorical data should be represented by numbers and recognised a text label using the “variable labels option” (eg. Ethnicity: 1 = English, 2 = Welsh, 3 = Irish, etc.)

• The variable name is usually limited in length, however the variable label can hold a more meaningful description of the variable and shouls be used on output (tables, graphs, etc.)

• Variable should be set up for participant who belong to a group (eg. Treatment group and control group). However, need to let the system know which group each participant belongs to 

What is one group/one sample research design?

1 factor and 1 level/group. For example, height (factor) has one group (participants). In SPSS each variable is listed separately

What is a two independent groups research design?

Between groups/between measures design, 1 factor and 2 groups. For the group variable code each group 1 and 2 (eg. Male and female)

What is a more than two independent groups research design?

Between groups/between measures design. For the group variable code each group 1 or 2 or 3, etc. For example, when there is one factor (eg. Treatment) and the factor has 3 levels (eg. Medication, exercise, and diet), code 1, 2, and 3, etc. in group variable

What is a two paired/repeated measures research design?

Within participants/within measures design, each variable is listed separately (eg. Pre-test and post-test for each participant and difference is calculated and found to be normal)

What is a more than 2 pair/repeated measures research design?

Within participants/within measures design, each variable is listed separately (eg. A factor having 3 levels each representing different time over the course of a study)