How to Calculate Statistics for Significant Difference Test Using SPSS: Understanding Students Comprehension on the Concept of Steam Engines as Power Plant

Abstract

A significant difference test is used to evaluate certain treatments on the sample in two different observation periods.  One of the commonly used software is SPSS which is used to analyze data which helps researchers in calculating data so that it can be completed quickly. However, there are still many students and researchers who are not experts in calculating data using SPSS software, especially significant difference tests. This article aims to provide a step-by-step guide in calculating data using SPSS for statistical requirements and significant difference tests. To understand the calculations well using SPSS, we demonstrate the requirements tests (i.e., normality and homogeneity tests), parametric significant difference tests (i.e., One Sample t-test, Paired sample t-test, and Independent Sample t-test), and non-parametric (i.e., Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney test). We also added and demonstrated the steps for calculating data in the field of education with the variables analyzed being differences in student learning outcomes. We used the data when delivering the steam engine concept to students, showing how statistical calculation can understand students' comprehension. Bibliometric analysis regarding statistics was also added. This paper can be used as a guide in carrying out statistical tests using SPSS software.