A Step-by-Step Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS: Iron Study Data

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a step-by-step guide for beginners on how to use SPSS to analyze health data. An example of the Iron Supplementation Study conducted by the author will be used to demonstrate data analysis techniques. The readers will first get familiar with a few basic steps before starting the data analysis process, including the study’s objectives, variable characteristics, data entry, data cleaning, and a data analysis plan. An in-depth, step-by-step method of data analysis and interpretation of the data output will be provided. Data analysis will include basic descriptive statistics, data distribution, normality tests, and commonly used parametric and nonparametric tests, depending on the data distribution. The statistical tests include: independent sample t-test, paired t-test, confidence intervals, chi-square test, ANOVA tests, repeated analysis, correlation, linear regression, logistic regression, and selected nonparametric tests.