Statistics for Social Work with SPSS

Explore a practical guide to statistical analysis for social work research that starts with fundamental concepts such as variables, distributions, and central tendencies, then progresses to probability, hypothesis testing, regression, and ANOVA. Clear examples and SPSS instructions support data interpretation.

Statistics for Social Work with SPSS provides readers with a user-friendly, evidence-based, and practical resource to help them make sense of, organize, analyze, and interpret data in contemporary contexts. It incorporates one of the most well-known statistics software applications, the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS), within each chapter to help readers integrate their knowledge either manually or with the assistance of technology. The book begins with a brief introduction to statistics and research, followed by chapters that address variables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, and measures of variability. Additional chapters cover probability and hypothesis testing; normal distribution and Z score; correlation; simple linear regression; one-way ANOVA; and more. Each chapter features concise, simple explanations of key terms, formulas, and calculations; study questions and answers; specific SPSS instructions on computerized computations; and evidence-based, practical examples to support the learning experience. Presenting students with highly accessible and universally understandable statistical concepts, Statistics for Social Work with SPSS is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate-level courses in social work statistics, as well as research-based courses within the social and behavioral sciences.