STUDENTSTATSLAB
SPSS for Your Thesis
The Student’s Statistical Analysis Toolkit
FROM QUESTION TO RESULTS
Research question → variables → statistical test → SPSS workflow → output → interpretation →
thesis-ready reporting
A practical, visual learning guide for university students and early-career
researchers.
Lamprou Maritina
Statistics • SPSS • Research Data Analysis
Includes worked examples using the synthetic practice dataset supplied with the toolkit.
,STUDENTSTATSLAB | SPSS FOR YOUR THESIS
How to Use This Toolkit
This version is designed as a guided workflow rather than a collection of disconnected cheat sheets. Start with
your research question, prepare your variables, choose an analysis, check assumptions, run the analysis, read
the output, and then write the result in clear academic language.
IMPORTANT
This is an educational resource. Statistical choices depend on study design, measurement, assumptions and
institutional requirements. Use your own approved research data and consult your supervisor or a qualified
statistician when needed.
What you will learn
• How to translate a research question into variables and an analysis plan.
• How to choose among common tests used in student research.
• Where common analyses are located in SPSS.
• How to read the most important parts of statistical output.
• How to avoid common interpretation errors.
• How to turn results into a concise thesis paragraph.
Contents
1. Before SPSS • 2. Data preparation • 3. Test selection • 4. Assumptions • 5. Descriptives • 6. Independent
t-test • 7. Paired t-test • 8. ANOVA • 9. Chi-square • 10. Correlation • 11. Regression • 12. Reliability • 13.
APA-style reporting • 14. Practice & final checklist
Page 2
, STUDENTSTATSLAB | SPSS FOR YOUR THESIS
1. Before You Open SPSS
Start with the research question, not the software. A statistical test is a consequence of the question, study
design and variable types.
The five-question planning check
• What is the research question? Write it in one sentence.
• What is the outcome? Identify the dependent/outcome variable.
• What are the predictors or groups? Identify independent variables, groups or exposures.
• How are the variables measured? Continuous, ordinal or categorical?
• What is the design? Independent groups, repeated measurements, observational association, prediction?
WORKED EXAMPLE
Question: Is weekly study time associated with exam performance?
Outcome: Exam_Score (continuous)
Predictor: Study_Hours_Week (continuous)
Starting analysis: Pearson correlation; regression if prediction/adjustment is the goal.
A common mistake
Do not select a test because you recognise its SPSS table. Select the test because it answers the research
question and fits the design.
Page 3
SPSS for Your Thesis
The Student’s Statistical Analysis Toolkit
FROM QUESTION TO RESULTS
Research question → variables → statistical test → SPSS workflow → output → interpretation →
thesis-ready reporting
A practical, visual learning guide for university students and early-career
researchers.
Lamprou Maritina
Statistics • SPSS • Research Data Analysis
Includes worked examples using the synthetic practice dataset supplied with the toolkit.
,STUDENTSTATSLAB | SPSS FOR YOUR THESIS
How to Use This Toolkit
This version is designed as a guided workflow rather than a collection of disconnected cheat sheets. Start with
your research question, prepare your variables, choose an analysis, check assumptions, run the analysis, read
the output, and then write the result in clear academic language.
IMPORTANT
This is an educational resource. Statistical choices depend on study design, measurement, assumptions and
institutional requirements. Use your own approved research data and consult your supervisor or a qualified
statistician when needed.
What you will learn
• How to translate a research question into variables and an analysis plan.
• How to choose among common tests used in student research.
• Where common analyses are located in SPSS.
• How to read the most important parts of statistical output.
• How to avoid common interpretation errors.
• How to turn results into a concise thesis paragraph.
Contents
1. Before SPSS • 2. Data preparation • 3. Test selection • 4. Assumptions • 5. Descriptives • 6. Independent
t-test • 7. Paired t-test • 8. ANOVA • 9. Chi-square • 10. Correlation • 11. Regression • 12. Reliability • 13.
APA-style reporting • 14. Practice & final checklist
Page 2
, STUDENTSTATSLAB | SPSS FOR YOUR THESIS
1. Before You Open SPSS
Start with the research question, not the software. A statistical test is a consequence of the question, study
design and variable types.
The five-question planning check
• What is the research question? Write it in one sentence.
• What is the outcome? Identify the dependent/outcome variable.
• What are the predictors or groups? Identify independent variables, groups or exposures.
• How are the variables measured? Continuous, ordinal or categorical?
• What is the design? Independent groups, repeated measurements, observational association, prediction?
WORKED EXAMPLE
Question: Is weekly study time associated with exam performance?
Outcome: Exam_Score (continuous)
Predictor: Study_Hours_Week (continuous)
Starting analysis: Pearson correlation; regression if prediction/adjustment is the goal.
A common mistake
Do not select a test because you recognise its SPSS table. Select the test because it answers the research
question and fits the design.
Page 3
