Customer Reviews

A Simple Guide to SPSS for Version 16.0

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well, there isn't really much to say about this little book. I picked it up for a stats course a while back and I'm mostly glad I did. When you're dealing with software, the hardest part for a newcomer can be just getting started, even if you're talking about something relatively easy like SPSS. The authors allow you to master the basics of SPSS pretty quickly by REALLY trimming the fat out and simplifying things to the point that a moron could run a regression. They wanted to write a "simple guide," and that they did. Because it's so short (barely over 100 pages), I did feel a little bit shortchanged, since there's a lot that's not covered. But, if you just want something to get you started on the basics, this is a quick, easy read.

This book is both outdated (there are newer versions, and SPSS is called PASW now) and unnecessary. Most, if not all, of the information in this book can be found in the program's help file, or looked up online. I bought this book for a class and we never even opened it. Totally useless, and there's NO reason it should be as expensive as it is - it's tiny!

If you are looking for a simple guide to SPSS, this is not it! There are few explanations or definitions of terms. The one strength of the book is that it uses the actual screens to allow the reader a visual reminder of where they should be. I cannot endorse purchase of this book.

The book arrived in excellent condition. I saved almost 50% of the original price by buying it at Amazon versus my University bookstore. Highly recommend buying certain books from amazon