An Introduction to Secondary Data Analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics

Many professional, high-quality surveys collect data on people’s behaviour, experiences, lifestyles and attitudes. The data they produce is more accessible than ever before. This book provides students with a comprehensive introduction to using this data, as well as transactional data and big data sources, in their own research projects. Here you will find all you need to know about locating, accessing, preparing and analysing secondary data, along with step-by-step instructions for using IBM SPSS Statistics.

You will learn how to:

Create a robust research question and design that suits secondary analysis
Locate, access and explore data online
Understand data documentation
Check and ‘clean’ secondary data
Manage and analyse your data to produce meaningful results
Replicate analyses of data in published articles and books

Using case studies and video animations to illustrate each step of your research, this book provides you with the quantitative analysis skills you’ll need to pass your course, complete your research project and compete in the job market. Exercises throughout the book and on the book’s companion website give you an opportunity to practice, check your understanding and work hands on with real data as you’re learning.

Author Biography

From 2009 to 2014 John was the Strategic Advisor to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) on quantitative methods training overseeing the genesis and launch of the Q-Step programme. From 2015 to 2020 he was Strategic Advisor to the British Academy on Quantitative skills and a member of the British Academy’s High Level Strategy group on Quantitative Skills. John is a Chartered Statistician and was Vice President (Professional Affairs) of the Royal Statistical Society 2019-20. He has held research grants from the European Commission, UK ESRC, British Academy, Leverhulme trust and British, Spanish and Catalan government departments.