Writing SPSS Reports

Assumptions

• You have taken 100W• You achieved basic competence in writing in

100w• You have basic competence using a word

processing program• You will follow directions• You can modify the basic steps outlined here to

meet the particular needs of different assignments

Pre-Writing Tips

Read the assignment directionsBe sure all parts of the assignment are completedWrite the report like you are going to give it to a person who has no idea what you are doing• Be clear• Be descriptive• Be concise

Writing Your Report• Introduction– Discuss what you are doing in the report• What is the purpose of the report?

– Preview the material to follow• What is going to follow in your report?

– Multiple paragraphs may be necessary

Writing Your Report• Introduction• Body

– Address specific questions asked– Analysis (Description of the data)

• Reference tables– Each table you make should have a unique number and title

» Table number uniquely identifies each table• For Example “Table 1” (Note that the word “Table” is capitalized)

» The title is a description of a table• For example:” Frequency distribution of respondent’s labor force status

(workstat)”– Cite/reference the title and table

• Cite data – Minimally cite three data points for each table

• NEVER CITE FREQUENCIES!• Summarize findings

– Given all the data in a table what does it tell us about the variable(s) being observed?

Writing Your Report

• Introduction• Body• Conclusion– What did you do? (Similar to what you did in the

introduction)– Did you encounter any problems? If so describe

them and how you solved them– This also may take several paragraphs

Writing Your Report

• Introduction• Body• Conclusion• Tables– Included following the report– Can also follow the analysis

• Output– Include following tables– Include only relevant output

Final Tips• Read the directions• Make sure all parts of the assignment are completed• Include a cover page– Your name – Assignment name– Date you submit your work– Honor statement

• Proofread/Edit– Spell check!– Have a friend read the paper for clarity

• The word data is plural– “Data are” Not “Data is"

Writing SPSS Reports