Data Analysis with Spreadsheets (with CD-ROM)

Each chapter concludes with “Chapter Summary” and “References.”

                                                           

1. An Introduction to Spreadsheets.

 

Spreadsheets — First Facts.

The Brief History of Spreadsheets.

Why Use Spreadsheets for Data Analysis in the Social Services?

Spreadsheet Basics.

Using Formulas and Functions.

Advanced Tools for Understanding Data.

A Comparison of Spreadsheets to Statistical Analysis Software.

The Paradox of Spreadsheets and Statistical Software in Social Service Practice.

 

2. Data Collections Waysand Means.

                       

The Many Paths to Data Acquisition.

Levels of Measurement.

Data Coding.

Basic Data Entry.

Creating Data Entry Forms.

Downloading Data.

Web-Based Data Retrieval.

Relating to Database Software.

Web-based Data Collection.

Relating to Database Software.

Saving What You Have and Using What You Need.

 

3. Selecting Samples.

 

Samples: First Facts.

Simple Random Samples.

Systematic Sampling.

Stratified Sampling.

Random Assignment.

 

4. Data Cleaning

 

Types of Problem Data.

Detecting Data Errors.

Contingency Cleaning.

Missing Data: Its Detection and Handling.

Detecting Missing Data.

Handling Missing Data.

 

5. Frequency Distributions and Histograms.

 

Understanding the Distribution of Values.

Frequency Distributions.          

Producing Histograms Using the Chart Wizard.

 

6. Descriptive Statistics.

 

Measures of Central Tendency.

Formulas for Measures of Central Tendency.

Measures of Dispersion or Variability.

Data Analysis Tools: Descriptive Statistics.

Producing Frequency Polygrams.

 

7. Statistical Inference and Hypothesis Testing.

 

Normal Distributions.

Probability Distributions.

Skewness.

Understanding Hypothesis Testing.

Statistical Significance.

Effect Size and Sample Size Estimation.

 

8. Bivariate Statistics.  

 

Chi-square Test of Independence.

t-Test.

ANOVA.

Post hoc Tests of Means.

 

9. Cross-Tabulation Tables.

 

Using the Pivot Tables Wizard.

Graphing Cross-tabulation Tables.

 

10. Single System Design.

 

Basic Elements of Single System Design.

Advanced Designs.

Dynamic Chart Production.

Single System Group Designs.

 

11. Correlation and Regeression. 

 

Pearson's r and R2.

Bivariate Regressions.

Regression.

Two Variable Regression.

Creating Scatterplots.

Trendlines in Scatterplots.

Interpreting Scatterplots.

Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression.

Interpreting Multivariate Regression (OLS) Output in Excel.

Creating a Control Variable for Regression Analysis in Excel.

           

12. Graphical Representation of Practice Information.

 

Thinking Visually.

Graphical Representation.

Tools for Graphical Representation of Information.

Matching Data to Type of Graph.

Enhancing Graphs.

Spreadsheets Drawing Tools.

Ecomaps.

Genograms.