SPSS Survival Manual
A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS (8th Ed)
If statistics feels confusing or overwhelming, this book was written for you.
The SPSS Survival Manual is a practical guide that takes you through the process of choosing the right analysis, preparing your data, running procedures in IBM SPSS, interpreting your output, and writing up your results correctly.
8th edition. Fully revised and updated for IBM SPSS Statistics Version 31
Trusted by thousands of students and researchers worldwide
Who the book is for
The SPSS Survival Manual is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, health professionals, and others who need a practical introduction to data analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics.
It is especially useful for readers who want clear explanations and worked examples rather than formulas and confusing statistical jargon. Whether you are completely new to SPSS or returning to it after some time away, the book is structured to guide you through each stage of the analysis process in a clear and manageable way.
The book provides step-by-step guidance on choosing the right procedure, carrying out the analysis, interpreting the output, and writing up the results. Whether you are working on an assignment, thesis, research project, or professional report, it is designed to make the data analysis process more manageable and easier to understand.
What the book covers
Preparing your data
Set up the data structure or import a file from Excel. Screen, clean and organise your data before starting the analysis.
Choosing the right statistic
Learn about the different statistical techniques. Select the best one for your research question and data.
Preliminary analyses
Use descriptive statistics and graphs to explore the nature of the data.
Manipulate and recode variables to suit. Check the reliability of scales.
Exploring relationships
Use correlation, multiple regression, and logistic regression to assess relationships among variables and to test models. Apply exploratory factor analysis to explore the underlying structure of variables.
Comparing groups
Apply t-tests to compare the means of two independent groups, and ANOVA to compare three or more groups.
Assess change over time for two or more groups. Explore more advanced techniques such as MANOVA, and ANCOVA.
Non-parametric techniques
Provides instructions for the use of non-parametric techniques when the data is not suitable for parametric techniques. Techniques include chi square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman test and Kappa Measure of Agreement.
Each chapter includes guidance on checking assumptions, running analyses, interpreting output, and writing up results correctly.
A practical guide for researchers who want clarity, not confusion
Many students and researchers do not need a highly mathematical statistics text. They need a guide that explains what to do, when to do it, and how to understand the results. The SPSS Survival Manual was written to make the data analysis process more manageable.
It combines clear explanations with practical step-by-step instructions and worked examples.
About the author: Julie Pallant
Julie Pallant has spent many years helping students overcome statistics anxiety through her teaching, writing, and consulting work. She has held roles including Director of Research and Graduate Studies in the Department of Rural Health at the University of Melbourne and Senior Lecturer in Applied Statistics at Swinburne University. She has also worked as a counselling psychologist and has taught psychology, statistics, and research methods at a number of universities. She now works as a research and statistical consultant.
Author,
researcher,
lecturer and statistical consultant
Testimonials
''Julie Pallant is a saint and responsible for the successful graduation of hundreds of students, including myself"
Kopitzee Parra-Thorton, PhD, St Joseph Health USA
" Best book ever written. My ability to work through the maze of statistics and my sanity has been saved by this book" Natasha Davison, Deakin Uni, Australia.
"This book is recommended as ESSENTIAL to all students completing research projects"
Dr John Roodenburg, Monash University
''Julie Pallant has a rare gift for making statistics feel less daunting. This book continues to be my go-to recommendation for researchers new to SPSS – it walks readers through each step in a reassuring, accessible way, making even the most technical concepts feel manageable'
Dr Lyn Lavery, Director, Academic Consulting
''An excellent introduction to using SPSS for data analysis. It provides a self-contained resource itself, with detailed and clear, step-by-step descriptions of statistical procedures in SPSS. There is also a wealth of tips and advice, and for each statistical technique a brief, but consistently reliable, explanation is provided''
Associate Professor George Dunbar, University of Warwick
Get your copy
The SPSS Survival Manual is available directly from the publisher Routledge, the Amazon site in your country, and other online book sellers. I recommend you check out Routledge first as they offer free shipping and often have discount deals.
Additional resources:
The book is supported by companion resources, including downloadable sample data files and additional learning materials to help readers apply what they learn in practice. For lecturers, sample copies and additional teaching resources are available from the publisher.