Interpreting Quantitative Data with IBM SPSS Statistics 2/e

Rachad Antonius is a Full Professor of Sociology at the Universite du Quebec at Montreal. Born in Cairo, Egypt, he graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Pure and Applied Mathematics from Cairo University. He completed a M.Sc. degree in Mathematics at the University of Manitoba, then a Ph.D. in Sociology at the Universite du Quebec at Montreal. He teaches quantitative methods and research methodology, and he also specializes in migration studies, and Middle-Eastern studies. He is presently the Deputy-Director of the Research Chair on Immigration, Ethnicity and Citizenship.

PART ONE INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE METHODS The Basic Language of Statistics The Research Process PART TWO DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS Univariate Descriptive Statistics Graphical Representations PART THREE METHODOLOGICAL TOOLS Creating New Variables with SPSS Normal Distributions and Sampling Distributions Sampling Designs PART FOUR INFERENTIAL STATISTICS Estimation Hypothesis-Testing PART FIVE Correlation and the Regression Line Two-Way Tables and the Chi-Squared Test t-tests and ANOVA Appendix I: Reporting a Quantitative Analysis Appendix II: How to Create a Data File in SPSS Appendix III: Areas Under the Normal Curve Appendix IV: Table of Random Numbers Glossary

Interpreting Quantitative Data is an excellent introductory text, which clearly and competently integrates statistics, research methodology, and the use of SPSS. The text covers all aspects of the research process and effectively empowers students conducting quantitative research. Neil Dagnal Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University Interpreting Quantitative Data with IBM SPSS Statistics is a well-produced book which is clearly written in a reader-friendly style. The topics progress logically and are clearly explained. Unlike many books for the student quantitative researcher the author spends time not only on the interpretation of the data but also on the skill of presenting the findings in report form, both formally and informally. This is an essential skill that is often not taught with potentially disastrous results when the student comes to present his/her dissertation. I can thoroughly recommend this book both as a set text for an introductory course in quantitative methods in the social sciences and as a text for those who are working alone without the guidance of a tutor. For those of us whose introductory courses are lost in the mists of time this book is an excellent revision aide. I certainly found bits of information that I had long forgotten. -- Clive Sims The book Interpreting Quantitative Data with IBM SPSS Statistics, by Prof. Rachad Antonius, is highly relevant for the students starting to use SPSS, as no prior knowledge of the SPSS is required, but also for the ones who want to brush up their skills and knowledge... The book has a pedagogic character. It is addressed to both an instructor and a student. An added value of the book compared to some other reference books on SPSS is exactly that in addition to on how to manipulate the SPSS, it also gives guidance on how to use the data in a research project and what to keep in mind. It sees the SPSS as a part of the social research process and therefore focuses in addition to the data production/manipulation also on the analysis and interpretation of quantitative data. And also on the very basics of a research project (e.g. research object and research question, literature review, hypothesis). Therefore the book is recommended already in the very beginning of the designing the research. For the reader who needs additional information, there are in the end of each chapter also suggestions for further reading...In conclusion, the book is certainly a beneficial companion for becoming familiar with SPSS and using the data computed with the SPSS in a research project. As the book is written by assuming a student has no previous experience in SPSS or statistics (p. xxii), the text is simple and easy to follow. -- Liia L