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Data Analysis with Spreadsheets (with CD-ROM)
David A. Patterson, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Social Work
Randall E. Basham, University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work

ISBN-10: 020540751X
ISBN-13: 9780205407514

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paper Bound w/CD-ROM; 208 pp
Published: 04/11/2005

Suggested retail price: $72.00
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The first book and CD-ROM to use text, video and graphs to clearly describe and illustrate how social workers can use spreadsheets to collect data, analyze statistics and create graphs of research results. 

 

Students and instructors will find this an excellent guide to taking advantage of spreadsheet software—an underutilized, inexpensive and commonly available data analysis tool found in most, if not all, agency settings.  This text and CD-ROM offer instructors clearly articulated descriptions and video demonstrations of data analysis procedures that are commonly referred to in research and practice evaluation texts.

  • Describes the purpose and application of each data analysis procedure presented, while the accompanying CD-ROM provides a step-by-step graphic and video demonstration, making the material appealing to both textual and visual learners.
  • Teaches students how to do statistical analysis using programs (spreadsheets) that they will actually find in practice settings, making this a very practical and applied educational tool.
  • Presents a variety of ways to select random samples with spreadsheets.
  • Demonstrates how to produce descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and bivariate analyses using spreadsheets.

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 Ways and 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.

Introduce your Social Work students to data collection, statistical analysis, and graphical representation of results using spreadsheets: an inexpensive and readily available data analytic software. This text and companion CD-ROM use videos, text, and graphics to provide students clearly articulated descriptions and demonstrations of data analysis procedures that are commonly referred to in research, statistics and practice evaluation texts.

“I have nothing but praise for this book. Hurry and publish it.”
Steve Marson, UNC Pembroke

“The CD-Rom is a valuable accompaniment to the text, especially for visual and auditory learners. The voices are audible and at a pace that listeners can easily follow along. The table layout where users can click on the chapter and topics they are interested in is easy to navigate. I would definitely consider adopting this text for my course.”
Margaret E. Adamek, Indiana University

“The authors are correct in stating that computers with spreadsheets are widely available, and that they contain powerful functions. As such, it is helpful to have a text that can show future practitioners how to use these tools to improve their practice. The CD provides an excellent supplement to the text. Students can use the CD at their own speed, can repeat lessons as necessary and can use the CD in their agencies to analyze data.”
John Goad, Arizona State University

Related Titles:
Research Methods for Social Work, 1/e
James R. Dudley
Order No. 0-205-36529-9

Information Technology for Social Work (with Research Navigator Guide for the Helping Professions), 1/e
Phyllis Schiller
Order No. 0-205-45367-8

Statistics for Social Workers, 6/e
Robert W. Weinbach and Richard M. Grinnell Jr.
Order No. 0-205-37598-7

Planning and Conducting Agency-Based Research, 3/e
Alex J. Westerfelt and Tracy J. Dietz
Order No. 0-205-38687-3

Research Methods for Social Workers, 5/e
Bonnie L. Yegidis and Robert W. Weinbach
Order No. 0-205-40818-4

View a Sample Chapter PDF: /samplechapter/020540751X.pdf

For Evaluation


For Research Methods in Social Work


For Statistics for Social Workers


For Technology in Social Work and Social Welfare


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