The "Common Tasks and Functions" section of this guide walks through how to perform various tasks in SPSS using syntax/code. We provide example syntax/code, results from analysis, and break down what we can learn from our analysis. 

The "Workshops Materials" section contains the data files and workshop handouts for the SPSS 1 and SPSS 2 recorded tutorials (teaching the point-and-click approach to using SPSS) and live SPSS workshops (teaching the syntax/code approach).

What this guide is about?

The Common Tasks and Functions section of this guide walks through how you can perform data manipulation, data analysis, and graphing in the Stata program using code. We provide example code, results from analysis, and break down what we can learn from the analyses. 

The Workshops Materials section contains data files and workshop handouts for the SPSS 1 and SPSS 2 workshops (teaching the point-and-click approach to using SPSS) and SPSS 3 (teaching the syntax/code approach).

Use the tab menu on the left to navigate through this research guide.

In addition to the information on this guide, Research Data Services has research guides for various other programs. Click on the links below to explore other programs! 

• R and RStudio
• SAS
• Stata
• Python

SPSS is on ALL of the University Library computers - it's listed as IBM SPSS.

Other access options:

• SPSS is currently available for free download to GSU faculty, staff, and student personally-owned computers:

1. Go to the GSU University Licensed Software page, login using your GSU credentials, and download SPSS 29 (the newest version). You’ll be prompted to put the software in your cart and “check out” but don’t worry – the software is free to you. 
2. Once you’ve installed the software, you’ll be prompted to “Activate IBM SPSS.” – click “Launch license wizard.”
3. Once you’ve launched the license wizard, you’ll be prompted to select whether you have an “Authorized user license (I purchased a single copy of the product)” or “Concurrent user license (My organization purchased the product…)”. *Click “Authorized user license.”*
4. You’ll be prompted to enter an authorization code. 
5. To find the authorization code: Go back to the GSU site from which you downloaded SPSS > in top right corner, click dropdown arrow next to "Hello, [your name]" to go to Your Accounts/ Orders > find SPSS order listing > click “View Details” button > click word “Instructions” > copy the authorization code to paste in installation step.
6. Click “Add” and “Next” buttons.

• If you have issues with installing SPSS, please contact campus IIT at help@gsu.edu

• Via the vLab virtual desktop environment
  • If you're off-campus, you'll also need to download and login to the VPN.
  • The vLab allows a maximum of 300 concurrent users..   

LEARNING SPSS:

• Check out the resources on the SPSS research guide (NOTE: This guide teaches SPSS syntax, NOT point-and-click approach).
• The library has online and print SPSS manuals available - click here to search our GIL-Find Catalog.
• Learn via tutorials: LinkedIn Learning SPSS videos | "SPSS for Newbies" YouTube videos | how2stats YouTube videos | SPSS Tutorials by Kent State University Libraries
• Learn to use SPSS syntax: Kent State Libraries Using SPSS Syntax tutorial | Raynald’s SPSS Tools SPSS Syntax Home
• ICPSR's "Guide to Interpreting SPSS Output"
• Some SPSS FAQs provided by UCLA.
• Watch one of our RECORDED TUTORIALS
• See the Research Data Services (RDS) website to schedule an appointment for help.