Discovering Statistics Using SPSS [Hardcover] chapter Summaries:
Review
‘The mathematics behind the tests is always given in considerable detail. This is admirable and helps students to see the logics behind the tests…I like the exploration of the various options for the tests he discusses, and the discussions of the pros and cons of specific variants of tests’ – Nurse Researcher (David C. Howell )
“It is definitely the best written stats book I’ve seen. I found myself reading through it like a novel, just because I found it interesting. In addition, I like that it is well-integrated with the SPSS information, and I think the students will really appreciate it, too.”
(Kimberly Dasch )
‘The mathematics behind the tests is always given in considerable detail. This is admirable and helps students to see the logics behind the tests…I like the exploration of the various options for the tests he discusses, and the discussions of the pros and cons of specific variants of tests’ – Nurse Researcher
Product Description
Andy Field’s self-deprecating, vivacious but yet easy to understand writing style has won him many plaudits, and now an award from the British Psychological Society (2007), for his irreplaceable Discovering Statistics Using SPSS. The Third Edition is now even more accessible to the introductory student at the very beginning of their statistical journey. The textbook now uniquely walks students from very basic to advanced level concepts, all the while grounding knowledge though the use of SPSS. Accompanied by an improved Companion Web site at www.sagepub.co.uk/field3e including animated “SPSS walk-throughs” of tests discussed in the textbook; assessment materials and datasets pertinent to lecturers/instructors in Business & Management and Health Sciences; and a suite of other materials for lecturers/instructors and students as per the 2nd Edition. The original CD-Rom materials are now found on this Web site as well.
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Discovering Statistics Using SPSS [Hardcover] Book Reviews:
The advent of statistical software for the personal computer in the 1980s can be argued to be both a great advancement as well as a critical liability for the field of research. Statistical software has certainly made difficult analytical tasks easier to accomplish, enabling more people to benefit from the use of quantitative techniques. The ever-increasing speed of the personal computer allows researchers to conduct complex analysis in minutes that would have taken days to complete manually. However, with this increased speed and usability comes pitfalls. The ease and speed of statistical software has encouraged some researchers to take a shotgun approach to analysis by running large numbers of analyses instead of strategically selecting analyses guided by theory. Statistical packages also make it possible to run complex procedures that may be misapplied or misinterpreted by researchers without a solid understanding of statistical principles.No book can stop unscrupulous researchers from supporting their hypotheses by cherry picking favorable results from hundreds of analyses conducted. Well-intentioned students and researchers, however, can turn to Andy Field’s book Discovering Statistics using SPSS for Windows for the statistical background and guidance needed to appropriately select, execute, and interpret results.Field’s book bridges the gap between introductory/intermediate statistical textbook and software manual. This engaging, easy to read book leads the reader through:
·Introduction to statistical models
·Exploring data
·Correlations
·Regression
·Logistic regression
·Comparing means
·ANOVA
·Complex ANOVA
·Repeated measures design
·MANOVA
·Exploratory factor analysis.
Each topic of the book begins with an overview of the applicable statistical theory. The theory is presented in non-technical language and references numerous sources for readers wanting a more in-depth review. When background material does become technical, these sections are specially labeled to alert non-technical readers. Field focuses particularly on the statistical assumptions of each statistical technique and how to use SPSS to test for them.Following the review of statistical theory, each topic includes one or more exercises. Readers are guided step by step through each analysis from dummy coding data, through entering in the necessary SPSS commands, to interpreting SPSS output. An accompanying CD furnishes the data sets used in each exercise, allowing readers to work though each exercise and check results against the book. Through these exercises, Field shows how results can be misinterpreted without a thorough investigation of the data. Great pains are taken throughout the exercises to demonstrate the perils of blindly trusting SPSS output without understanding the theory and underlying statistical assumptions. From this review, it is obvious that I greatly enjoyed reading the book. I assume that this book is intended primarily for students and practitioners without an extensive background in statistics. However, I found this book to be beneficial in reviewing concepts studied in graduate school more than ten years ago. Field accomplishes the difficult task of simplifying complex topics into everyday language without talking down to his readers. This book is perfectly suited for the non-statistical expert looking for guidance with running analyses with SPSS.
Field’s book is simply the best volume written yet for beginning users of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Unlike most stats or software books, Field uses humor, wit and quirky real world examples to provide an easy and enjoyable read. The version I purchased came with a CD including all the data used in the book’s examples. Chapters 1-4 are great primers for stats and Field does eventually take the reader into some more sophisticated analyses including Logistic Regression and Factor Analysis. Step by step instructions are supplemented by screen captures and graphs. This is an invaluable book for anyone faced with the challenge of learning SPSS for a class or for business. I would recommend it over any of the 15 or so books I’ve read regarding SPSS — including the official manuals!
I use statistics for a living (I’m an empirical researcher). I’ve had my Ph.D. for several years now and own all of the usual stuff like the Hair book, the array of SPSS manuals, and the Tabachnik and Fidell book. Of all the books and books I’ve used,read, and owned this is the singly most user friendly book on the topic. If you use SPSS in your work, I promise that this will be the best forty dollars you can spend. I wish more stats books were written in this tone. The book is actually fun to read, which is the highest compliment that a stats book can get. It is also very accurate. The single downside of this book is that it lacks references to research on which its recommendations are based. This book might be too weak for statisticians but it is just perfect for those who use statistical methods, especially SPSS. Very highly recommended.