STM103 Introduction to SPSS and QoG 2/22/2009 7:36 PM 1 STM103 INTRODUCTION TO SPSS Key aims: Gain familiarity with downloading the QoG datasets and generating descriptive statistics using SPSS. Throughout anything in Italic is a command to enter using the SPSS menus. Anything in red is the name of a variable. BRING ALONG THE PRINTED ‘SHORT CODEBOOK LIST OF VARIABLES FOR REFERENCE IN THE LAB. ALSO, COMPLETE THE SELECTION OF VARIABLES ON PAGE 4 BEFORE COMING INTO THE LAB SESSIONS. LAB SESSIONS: . *Computer lab sessions in Taubman (Sign up for A,B or C for each session). The computer lab has 20 terminals; you may need to share with a partner. Session 1: Session 2: Group A: Mon 2nd March 1.00‐2.30pm Intro SPSS Group A: Wed 11th Mar 1.00‐2.30pm Intro SPSS Group B: Tues 3rd Mar 1.00‐2.30 Intro Stata Group B: Thurs 12th Mar 1.00‐2.30 Intro Stata Group C: Tues 3rd Mar 2.40‐‐5.00pm Advanced Group C: Thurs 12th Mar 2.40‐5.00pm Advanced TABLE OF CONTENTS STM103 INTRODUCTION TO SPSS ................................................................................................................ 1 1. DOWNLOADING DATA: .......................................................................................................................................... 2 4. SCREENS ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 5. SELECT VARIABLES ................................................................................................................................................. 4 6. FREQUENCIES AND BAR CHARTS: .......................................................................................................................... 5 6. EDITING GRAPHS ................................................................................................................................................... 6 7. SELECTING YOUR REGION ...................................................................................................................................... 6 8. MEANS ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 9. SCATTER‐PLOTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 10. TABLES ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 11. CORRELATIONS .................................................................................................................................................. 11 12. MANIPULATING, SELECTING AND RECODING DATA .......................................................................................... 11 13 STATISTICAL PROCEDURES IN SPSS FOR WINDOWS ........................................................................................... 12 14. SPSS SOFTWARE: DEMONSTRATION PACKAGE ................................................................................................ 13 15. SPSS GRAD PACK ................................................................................................................................................ 13 STM103 Introduction to SPSS and QoG 2/22/2009 7:36 PM 2 1. DOWNLOADING DATA: Go to the QoG website: http://www.qog.pol.gu.se/ Go to Data: the QoG Data 2. Download the correct version of the dataset. To start work, download the cross‐sectional dataset for SPSS and save this somewhere clearly labeled on your memory stick, hard drive or shared server space. 3. Also save the PDF version of the FULL Codebook somewhere safe; it is very long but an invaluable reference document. STM103 Introduction to SPSS and QoG 2/22/2009 7:36 PM 3 4. SCREENS Click on the SPSS file and it should open directly in the SPSS program. You have two screen views, using the tabs in the bottom left corner. One, Dataview, shows data in columns (vars) and rows (cases): One, variable view, shows how the data is labeled, coded, and defined. This is the most useful one to work with as an online version of the codebook. Widen any column so you can read the contents. You can edit using either screen. Look at the last column below – what is the difference between nominal, ordinal and scale variables? Note that you will also open an Output window when you generate your results. You should also create a Syntax file (File|New Syntax) in another window then paste or type in any commands, so that you keep a complete record of your work. When you run any commands that work well paste these into your syntax file then save when you finish. Keep this and the data file, rather than the output. STM103 Introduction to SPSS and QoG 2/22/2009 7:36 PM 4 5. SELECT VARIABLES You can use the whole dataset without doing anything further but there are a LOT of variables in the dataset. To simplify your life and make it less confusing, for this exercise you will find it easier to identify a sub‐set of key variables from the What It Is list which you want to use. You can always go back to add more variables at a later stage (none are deleted) but first work out which variables to put into your subset i.e. what is important as indicators of democratic governance for your region. Select the first ones listed below and pick about 5‐10 to add. Write down details in the list below so that you have this handy. Look in the full codebook for more details about the construction and meaning of each. Name Brief description Typecname Country name Nominalht_region Global region: 10 categories NominalP_polity Combined polity score of democracy and autocracy ScaleFh_status Freedom House: classification of states into free, semi‐free and not‐free OrdinalChga_regime Cheibub and Ghandi: Type of democratic or autocratic regime NominalWbgi_vae World Bank: Voice and accountability estimate ScaleWbgi_pse World Bank: Political stability estimate ScaleWbgi_gee World