Article on Python scripting in SPSS
A useful article on using the Python language within SPSS can be found here.
SPSS plugins
Go here to download plugin modules that allow you to use the Python and R programming languages from within SPSS. Note that you will need to set up a free account on SPSS Developer Central in order to download the plugins.
Unrecognized text where a variable list was expected
When running an analysis with SPSS, the error message “Unrecognized text where a variable list was expected” may sometimes appear. This error can occur after submitting an SPSS dialog box in which you have selected a series of variables to analyze. The error can be caused by having an illegal variable name, for example names that begin with numbers. Be sure that you name your variables using names like “FirstPlace,” not “1stPlace.”
Patches for SPSS version 16
Go here to download several patches (a.k.a. “bug fixes”) to SPSS version 16 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. These allegedly fix performance issues related to working with and exporting large tables.
There is also a discussion thread on the comp.soft-sys.stat.spss discussion forum that address these and other issues with SPSS 16.
The patches must be downloaded and run on your individual computer once you have installed SPSS 16.
SPSS 16 now available
SPSS version 16 is now available at Holy Cross for both Windows and Mac users.
Windows users can install SPSS 16 via the NAL window. Double-click the SPSS 16 icon and the software will be installed to your computer, registered and ready to go.
SPSS 16 for Mac users can be installed on either Intel or PowerPC machines. Contact Ron Sarja (rsarja@holycross.edu) or Richard Lent (rlent@holycross.edu) if you wish to have SPSS 16 installed on your Mac.
What’s new in SPSS 16 for Windows
Go here for a summary of new features in SPSS version 16 for Windows. Most of the enhancements also apply to version 16 for the Mac OS X.
Review of SPSS 16 for Mac
Go here to read a MacWorld review of SPSS 16 for the Mac.
SPSS 15 tutorials
If you are new to SPSS 15 for Windows, a good place to start is the SPSS Tutorial. Start SPSS (Start -> Programs -> SPSS for Windows -> SPSS 15.0 for Windows). Then, from the SPSS Data Editor, click Help, then Tutorial. You can either work sequentially through the 16 chapters or choose individual topics of interest.
In addition to the Help Menu tutorial, a Google search on “SPSS tutorials” will turn up many sites offering help with SPSS. Interesting SPSS tutorial sites include (some of these sites pertain to earlier versions of SPSS and may contain institution-specific information):
Guide to SPSS (Harvard-MIT Data Center)
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Furman University)
SPSS versions
At Holy Cross the current versions of SPSS are Version 15 for Windows and Version 13 for Mac OS X. The latest version is 16 for both Windows and Mac; the College should be upgrading to version 16 sometime this fall. Click here to download a PDF file describing the features of SPSS Version 16.
Welcome to the Holy Cross SPSS blog
This blog will provide support, resources, and discussion relating to use of SPSS, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, at the College of the Holy Cross.
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