Overview
This lecture introduces the basics of creating graphs using the SPSS Chart Builder and describes the dataset used for graphing practice.
Accessing SPSS Chart Builder
- Open Chart Builder from the SPSS menu: Graphs > Chart Builder.
- Dismiss the initial warning dialog by checking "don't show this dialogue again" and clicking OK.
- The Chart Builder window contains all necessary tools for building graphs.
Chart Builder Interface Overview
- The Gallery section lets you select the type of graph (e.g., bar, scatter plot, histogram, box plot).
- After selecting a graph type, the Chooser displays available options for that chart.
- Drag a graph type icon (e.g., simple bar) into the Canvas to begin.
- The Canvas acts as a setup area showing a preview; it does not represent the final graph.
- Variable Box (upper right) lists dataset variables; right-click to view variable labels.
- Drag variables from the Variable Box to x-axis and y-axis drop zones in the Canvas.
- Some drop zones accommodate multiple variables for repeated measures graphs.
- Use Element Properties to adjust graph settings, such as axis labels or data summary type (mean or percentage).
Dataset: clickers.sav
- The dataset clickers.sav is an SPSS file containing data used for graphing examples.
- Data were collected during a seminar where students discussed in groups and voted using clickers.
- Some groups had individual clickers per student; others shared one clicker per table.
- The main research question: Does sharing a clicker affect participation compared to individual clickers?
- Participation was measured for 166 students over three discussion rounds.
- Students also rated their preference for individual clickers.
- Both participation and preference were measured using Likert scales from 1 (low) to 7 (high).
- Gender was also recorded in the dataset.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Chart Builder — SPSS tool for constructing different graph types visually.
- Gallery — Section to choose the type of graph to create.
- Canvas — Area displaying a setup preview of the selected graph.
- Variable Box — List of variables available in the dataset.
- Element Properties — Panel to adjust graph details such as labels and statistical summaries.
- Likert Scale — Rating scale (here, 1 to 7) measuring level of agreement or response.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Open clickers.sav dataset in SPSS before continuing with the next part of the lesson.