Preface

This book is intended for those who want to learn the basics of SPSS (Version 13). Additional information can be found in the SPSS Base 13.0 User’s Guide (SPSS, Inc., 2004). This book can be used as a text in a class or by those working independently. It was written as a tutorial. Each chapter has instructions that guide you through a series of problems, as well as graphics showing you what your screen should look like at various steps in the process. The data set that accompanies the text, GSS02A, can be downloaded from the web by going to http://www.csub.edu/~jross/projects/SPSS/. and follow the instructions for downloading the file and accessing other text information. There are also exercises at the end of each chapter for further practice and more exercises and teaching modules at this same web site.

In order to use the software that you will need for this book, you will either have to purchase SPSS or to find a computer laboratory in which SPSS has been installed. Most colleges and universities have labs where you can use SPSS. If you purchase SPSS, we suggest you buy the Graduate Pack.

The authors would like to thank the faculty and students who have tested each version of these materials (6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 11.0 and now 13.0). We also want to thank the Social Science Research and Instructional Council of the California State University for their support and encouragement. Finally, we would like to thank our editor, Julie Kehrwald of McGraw-Hill Custom Publishing, for her help and support. If you would like to make suggestions, correct errors, or give us feedback, please email any of us at the following addresses: