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Learn how to utilize SPSS to efficiently analyze NSSE data, generate customized reports, and save time. Explore key components of NSSE datafile, command syntax, GUI, scripts, and basic/advanced functions. Practical examples included.
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Using SPSS to Report NSSE Data: Transform Your Analyses and Save Time with SPSS Regional NSSE User’s Workshop October 2006 Rick Shoup, Research Analyst Center for Postsecondary Research, Indiana University Bloomington
Goals • Identify key components of the NSSE datafile • Introduce users to SPSS command syntax • Expose users to less commonly used SPSS functions • Highlight how SPSS can save time • Demonstrate practical application of SPSS to generate customized NSSE reports • Make NSSE data more accessible
NSSE Datafile • Core survey items • Administration fields • Institution-provided flags • Student-level benchmark indices and weights • Codebook and SPSS labels/values as references
Graphic User Interface (GUI) • “Point-and-click” environment • Front-end interface that automatically generates command syntax • Most GUI processes can be “pasted” to the syntax editor
Command Syntax • Powerful command language provided by SPSS • Runs “behinds the scenes” • Rendered in the third major SPSS window – the Syntax Editor
Scripts • SPSS scripts program tasks that cannot be done with command syntax, including: • Scripts use Sax Basic programming language • Scripts are created and modified in the fourth major SPSS window, the script window • Bold lines in a report • Print reports • Save output
Basic SPSS functions • Opening files • Creating variables • Specifying variable and value labels/formats • Frequencies • Crosstabulations
Advanced SPSS functions • Ctables • Scripts • OMS
Walk-Through We want to build a report that presents a side-by-side comparison of the Student-Faculty Interaction items for your institution’s Arts & Humanities, Biology, and Education Students.
Your Turn! • Develop a frequency report that shows only female (gender = 2) Arts & Humanities, Business, and Social Science students side-by-side. • Use only the Academic Challenge items: • (workhard, analyze, synthesz, evaluate, applying) • Also save a copy of the report in MS Excel but don’t include Business results. • Use a script to bold the “total” row in the SPSS output.
Summary • IR offices are often under pressure to produce customized reports FAST • SPSS syntax can standardize most institutional research demands and alleviate drudgery • Use your imagination—syntax can be used in many different ways
References • Levesque, R. (2003). SPSS Programming and Data Management. A Guide for SPSS and SAS Users. Chicago, IL: SPSS Inc. • www.spsstools.net • Programming with SPSS Scripts – An SPSS Training Manual • SPSS User Manuals & Command Syntax Reference
For More Information Email: tshoup@indiana.edu website: http://www.nsse.iub.edu