Adventures in Social Research

Adventures in Social Research: Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS Statistics provides a practical, hands-on introduction to data conceptualization, measurement, and association through active learning. Students get step-by-step instruction on data analysis using the latest version of SPSS and the most current General Social Survey data. The authors start with an introduction to computerized data analysis and the social research process, then walk users through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis using SPSS. The book contains applications from across the social sciences—sociology, political science, social work, criminal justice, health—so it can be used in courses offered in any of these departments.

This text provides a practical, hands-on introduction to data conceptualization, measurement, and association through active learning. Students get step-by-step instruction on data analysis using the latest version of SPSS and the most current General Social Survey data. The text starts with an introduction to computerized data analysis and the social research process, then walks users through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis using SPSS. The book contains applications from across the social sciences—sociology, political science, social work, criminal justice, health—so it can be used in courses offered in any of these departments. The Eleventh Edition uses the latest general Social Survey (GSS) data, and the latest available version of SPSS. The GSS datasets now offer additional variables for more possibilities in the demonstrations and exercises within each chapter.

Part I Preparing for Data Analysis
Chapter 1 Introduction: The Theory and Practice of Social Research
Chapter 2 The Logic of Measurement
Chapter 3 Description of Data Sets: The General Social Survey
Part II Univariate Analysis
Chapter 4 Using SPSS Statistics: Some Basics
Chapter 5 Describing Your Data: Religiosity
Chapter 6 Presenting Your Data in Graphic Form: Political Orientations
Chapter 7 Recoding Your Data: Religiosity and Political Orientations
Chapter 8 Creating Composite Measures: Exploring Attitudes Toward Abortion in More Depth
Chapter 9 Suggestions for Further Analysis
Part III Bivariate Analysis
Chapter 10 Examining the Sources of Religiosity
Chapter 11 Political Orientations as Cause and Effect
Chapter 12 What Causes Different Attitudes Toward Abortion?
Chapter 13 Measures of Association for Nominal and Ordinal Variables
Chapter 14 Correlation and Regression Analysis
Chapter 15 Tests of Significance
Chapter 16 Suggestions for Further Bivariate Analyses
Part IV Multivariate Analysis
Chapter 17 Multiple Causation: Examining Religiosity in Greater Depth
Chapter 18 Dissecting the Political Factor
Chapter 19 A Powerful Prediction of Attitudes Toward Abortion
Chapter 20 Suggestions for Further Multivariate Analyses
Part V The Adventure Continues
Chapter 21 Designing and Executing Your Own Survey
Chapter 22 Further Opportunities for Social Research