Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS): Data Analysis and Interpretation Certificate Course (30 Hour, 2 credit Course)

ACTIVITY REPORT

Objectives of the Activity:

• Familiarize the students with SPSS software
• Develop data analysis skill using SPSS software
• Learn descriptive and inferential techniques
• Create tables and charts
• Interpret and communicate the results
• Report writing according to APA guidelines

Activity Overview:

The Post Graduate Department of Psychology organized a 30-hour Certificate Course on “Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS): Data Analysis and Interpretation” from 9th February to 20th February, 2026. The course was designed with the objective of familiarizing students with the SPSS software and enhancing their competence in data analysis. A total of 29 students participated in the programme. The course was conducted under the coordination of Ms. Socorrina Rodrigues, along with Dr. Anette Joseph, Ms. Anushka Fernandes and Ms. Ovida D’Souza.

The course content was systematically structured into five modules covering Introduction to SPSS and Data Management, Descriptive Statistics, Correlation Analysis, Inferential Statistics, and APA Style and Report Writing. Students were introduced to the SPSS interface, data entry procedures, data cleaning, and transformation techniques. They also learned to compute and interpret measures of central tendency and variability, generate graphical representations such as histograms and bar charts, and conduct correlation analyses using Pearson and Spearman coefficients.

The inferential statistics component included hypothesis testing, independent and paired samples t-tests, One-Way and Two-Way ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests. The sessions were conducted using a practical, hands-on approach, allowing students to work directly with datasets and interpret SPSS outputs. Emphasis was placed on understanding statistical concepts and applying them appropriately in research contexts. Students also gained experience in creating tables and figures and organizing datasets efficiently.

The course further incorporated training in APA style report writing, enabling students to present statistical findings accurately and professionally. An evaluation was conducted at the end of the programme to assess students’ learning outcomes, and certificates were awarded upon successful completion. The course successfully strengthened the research and analytical skills of the participants, equipping them with essential competencies required for academic research and professional practice.

Outcomes of the Activity:

• On completing the course, students will be able to:
• Navigate SPSS interface, manage data files and perform basic data entry
• Manage and prepare data for analysis within SPSS, including handling missing values and recoding variables
• Create and interpret various types of charts and graphs in SPSS to visualize and summarize data effectively
• Calculate and interpret descriptive/ inferential statistics and choose appropriate measures for different types of data
• Prepare and write reports following APA guidelines, including proper formatting, citations and presentation of statistical results.

Beneficiaries: