Descriptive statistics

The term descriptive statistics refers to the act of describing and summarising data. This can be done using tables, plots, charts and key descriptive values such as the size of the dataset, percentages, average values and measures of spread. Depending on the task at hand, it might be that all that is required from you are descriptive statistics. 

Illustrating descriptive statistics

Take a look at your lecture notes, reading materials and assignment briefs for examples on what types of data are presented and how data has been presented.

Illustrations of the different types of descriptive statistics: table, pie chart, bar chart, scatter plot linear fit, histogram, box and whisker

 

Additional resources

  • Create your own graph paper using this graph paper maker by Maths is Fun.
  • Graphics in SPSS - here UCLA Statistical Consulting illustrates how to produce a number of different graphics in SPSS, including the histogram and box and whisker plots.

Calculating descriptive statistics

Descriptive statistics provide researchers and readers with insight into a dataset at a glance. Care should be taken to ensure that the type of descriptive statistics used and/or reported are appropriate for the type of data. Take a look at your lecture notes, reading materials and assignment briefs for examples on what types of descriptive statistics are calculated and how data has been summarised.

Software training

  • Introduction to Excel, rows and columns, formulas and functions, tables, charts and pivot tables by Microsoft support.
  • IT Training at Oxford Brookes have produced an SPSS self-paced course of 4 Parts: Introductory, Exploring your Data and initial statistical analysis, statistical analysis, surveys and survey analysis. Additional resources include YouTube videos and one-to-one support (for those who have done SPSS part 1 introductory).
  • Getting started with SPSS - FREE course from The Open University.