I am currently learning how to use SPSS for statistical analysis. This will enable basic statistical analysis to be conducted in nursing research projects. The aim is to run initial data analysis on small clinical-focused projects. I also want to support other nursing colleagues in their project ideas (#community of practice). Understanding the data process is complex. Choosing the correct statistical method is an ongoing learning objective.

Below are some introductory resources that help you plan your project. They provide helpful tips on how to save your data set. You can learn to analyze the data and create demographic and result tables. Access to a statistician remains key. They provide so much expertise and understanding around data analysis. Their involvement ensures robustness in the results process. Please post any useful research resources in the comment section below. Together, we can develop this post as an ongoing research resource for nurses. As I use SPSS on further projects, more resources will be added into this page.

The Research Question

Consider something that inspires, interests or annoys you- motivation is key, especially if the project is done in own time. Or a quality measure that will help change and enhance practice.

Background

Conduct a literature review to explore the background scientific findings on your topic and then provide a rationale for your study. Why is it important to conduct? Set out your aims and objectives, also any hypothesis if required. When analysing the evidence base, use expert resources such as Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.

Study Design

Ethics

Check with your hospital or university ethics committee before you collect any data. Find out what level of ethics your project falls under. Be prepared for some form filling and some unique wordology. If you delve further into the history of ethical standards, be prepared for some moving and challenging cases.

Data Collection 

Prepare a data file, this will depend on the software you have access to. So far the easiest and cheapest way I have found is to use Xcel. It can normally be uploaded into a stats software package accessed on a University computer. You can use formula’s from this program to obtain most of the basic stats you will need for a first draft data analysis. Remember, have the variable along the x axis (across the top) and participant number along the y (down the side). Determine and define your variables, also create a code book to label any values. Borrow a book that can guide you through the research steps and the software program. 

This is the resource I used: Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS survival manual. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

If you are a student, check with your university IT team to see what software you can access or download onto your personal computer.

Statistics

Get inspired by Florence Nightingale, who was much more than just the lady and the lamp. You will need to describe the setting, participants and statistical methods. Again a book with statistical advice on how to choose, run and review your result findings will be required, such as Tabachnick & Fidell (2007) Using multivariate statistics. Ideally have a statistician to mentor you through the process

Results

Go back to your literature review. Check what types of figures and tables were published in the results sections. Replicate this format. Then you can compare your results to previous literature. Do the same with the demographic tables. This helps determine if the mean or median should be used. I’ve heard you say the median is more robust.

Add these key results and link in with context of background discussion.  What are the implications from your findings, and also any limitations of the study.

Publication Time

Thinking around the bigger picture of healthcare research and publications. Positive or negative data results, we only see a biased picture in that often only positive trials are published so they are what influence healthcare practice.

Pick a journal that fits in with your topic or methodology. Check in with the publisher author guides if you aim to publish, and they will provide clear outlines for structure, content and referencing style.

Not sure which journal to submit your article? Try Journal Author Name Estimator (JANE)

Additional Resources

Joanna Briggs Institute. (2017). Critical appraisal tools.

Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS survival manual. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics. Allyn & Bacon/Pearson Education.