OCC Psych A280-Statistics

How to Select the Correct Statistical Test

(Statistical Tutorial Videos Below)

THINGS TO CONSIDER

How many variables do you have?

How many Independent Variables (IV)
How many Dependent Variables (DV)

What types of data do you have?

Is the IV(s) Continuous or Categorical
Is the DV(s) Continuous or Categorical

STEPS

Step One: Based on the number of variables you have, select the Univariate (1 variable), Bivariate (2 variables), or Multivariate (≥3 variables) section below to find your test.
Step Two: Determine the types of measures (i.e., continuous or categorical) your independent variable(s) and dependent variable(s) are to find the correct tests for your data using the grids within the univariate, bivariate, and multivariate sections below.
Step Three: Once you've found the correct test, scroll down to find the instructional videos for your test in the video sections below.

MEASUREMENTS REVIEW

INDEPENDENT VS DEPENDENT VARIABLES

Independent Variable (IV): In an experiment, it is the variable that is intentionally changed (manipulated) or introduced in order to observe its effect on the Dependent Variable

Independent Variables also include Person Variables, such as gender, race, ethnicity, personaly traits, etc.

Dependent Variable (DV): In an experiment, it is the effect or event observed and expected to change as a result of the independent variable being applied or changed.

CONTINUOUS VS CATEGORICAL MEASUREMENTS

CONTINUOUS MEASURES

Sometimes called quantitative variables. Called Scale data in SPSS.

Interval variables that can be measured along a continuum and they have a numerical value.

Intelligence
Aptitude
Temperature

Ratio variables are interval variables, but with the added condition that 0 (zero) of the measurement indicates that there is none of that variable.

Income
Weight
Age
Height

CATEGORICAL MEASURES

Sometimes called qualitative, discrete, or dichotomous variables. Called Ordinal and Nominal data in SPSS.

Ordinal data that has a distinct order. There’s a meaning to the order.

Two, Three, And Four Star Restaurants
Ranking TV Programs By Popularity
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Winners!

Nominal data are distinct groups with no meaning to the order.

Gender
States
Colors

PREPARING YOUR DATA IN SPSS

Introduction to the SPSS Interface

How to Create Variables in SPSS

Import, Export & Save: Excel, CSV, Text in SPSS

Select Cases in SPSS

Split File in SPSS

Recode Variables in SPSS

Compute Variables in SPSS

APA Formatting Tips for Tables with SPSS

UNIVARIATE ANALYSIS (One Variable)

VARIABLE TYPE	TEST
Categorical
Categorical
Continuous
Continuous

BIVARIATE ANALYSIS (Two Variables)

IV	DV	TEST
Continuous	Continuous
Categorical (≥ 2 groups)	Categorical (≥ 2 groups)
Categorical (2 groups)	Continuous
Categorical (1 group 2 conditions)	Continuous
Categorical (≥ 2 groups)	Continuous
1 Group	Continuous (≥ 3 conditions)

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS (Three or More Variables)

IV 1	IV 2	DV
Continuous	Continuous	Continuous
Continuous (≥ 2)		Continuous
Continuous (≥ 3)
Continuous	Continuous or Categorical	Continuous
Continuous	Continuous or Categorical	Continuous
Continuous (≥ 1)	Categorical (≥ 1)	Categorical (2 groups)
Continuous (≥ 1)	Categorical (≥ 1)	Categorical (≥ 3 groups)
Categorical	Categorical	Categorical
Categorical	Categorical	Continuous
Categorical	Categorical	Continuous
Categorical	Categorical or Continuous	Continuous
Categorical (≥ 1)	Categorical (optional)	Continuous (≥ 2)
Categorical (≥ 1)	Categorical (optional)	Continuous (≥ 2)

Research Methods in Experimental Psychology

STATISTICS