Post date: Aug 6, 2014 8:03:08 PM
A Student-Based Evaluation of PSPP
Christopher Koch & Elissa Shinseki
Abstract. GNU PSPP version 0.8.3 is a statistical software package developed through the Free Software Foundation. It is designed to resemble, function like, and replace SPSS. The syntax and data files are compatible with SPSS and PSPP opens SPSS files. Given the non-propriety availability of PSPP, it may be a useful tool for teaching students how to conduct statistical analyses. A class of 34 graduate students in a professional program in the Pacific Northwest used PSPP and Excel during the course of a semester and then evaluated both programs after completing a professional practicum. Twenty-one students completed the evaluation. Specific to PSPP, students evaluated the software regarding the ease of downloading and installing, documentation, and aspects of usability. Ratings were generally noncommittal, however, students typically believed that the documentation was lacking. Students were asked parallel questions about using PSPP and Excel. Specifically, they were asked to indicate which was more difficult: knowing what analysis to do, knowing how to do the analysis with PSPP/Excel, or if they were both equally difficult. Students were more likely to indicate that “knowing how to use PSPP” was the most difficult (X2(2) = 7.6, p < .05) but were equally likely to select “knowing how to do the analysis” and “both were equally difficult” for Excel. Statistical self-efficacy was positively correlated with PSPP documentation and icon ratings along with applying concepts from the course in the practicum experience. Overall, PSPP may be useful for teaching statistics but its effectiveness may be moderated by other factors.