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SPSS Output Explorer
Explore example SPSS tables and learn what each value means. This free tool uses simulated data—it does not run statistical analyses or read your own results.
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Chi-square test of independence
Is study mode associated with the support format students prefer? 150 students, each counted once, said whether they study full-time or part-time and which support format they prefer: Online, In-person or Both.
Only the parts of the output needed to read this result are shown. Where SPSS prints more, a note under the table says what has been left out and why.
| Preferred support | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | In-person | Both | ||||
| Study mode | Full-time | Count | 82 | |||
| Expected Count | 82.0 | |||||
| % within Study mode | 100.0% | |||||
| Adjusted Residual | ||||||
| Part-time | Count | 68 | ||||
| Expected Count | 68.0 | |||||
| % within Study mode | 100.0% | |||||
| Adjusted Residual | ||||||
| Total | Count | 50 | 54 | 46 | 150 | |
| Expected Count | 50.0 | 54.0 | 46.0 | 150.0 | ||
| % within Study mode | 33.3% | 36.0% | 30.7% | 100.0% | ||
End of the Study mode * Preferred support Crosstabulation table
| Value | df | Asymptotic Significance (2-sided) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Chi-Square | |||
| Likelihood Ratio | 2 | ||
| N of Valid Cases | 150 |
a. 0 cells (0.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 20.85.
Selected output. Not shown: the Linear-by-Linear Association row. SPSS prints it, but it assumes ordered categories, which study mode and support format are not, and it has not been independently calculated for this example.
| Value | Approximate Significance | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal by Nominal | Cramer's V | ||
| N of Valid Cases | 150 | ||
Selected output. Not shown: the Phi row. SPSS prints Phi too, but for tables larger than 2 × 2 Cramér's V is the measure usually reported, and Phi has not been independently calculated for this example.
About this example
Cross-sectional survey: 150 students each answered once, so each student appears in exactly one cell. Study mode (full-time or part-time) and preferred support format (Online, In-person or Both) are categories that do not overlap. All expected counts are at least 20.85, so the expected-count assumption is met.
Limitations
- The data are simulated for teaching.
- The students answered a voluntary survey, so they may not represent all students.
- The test shows an association between study mode and support preference, not that study mode causes the preference.
- Percentages describe the pattern, but the test uses the counts.
What can be concluded
Support preference differs between full-time and part-time students in this sample: the association is statistically significant and approximately medium-sized (Cramér's V = .30). Descriptively, part-time students chose Both more often than expected, and full-time students chose In-person more often. Because this is a survey, not an experiment, the results show an association, not a cause. Report χ² with its degrees of freedom, N, p and Cramér's V, and describe the direction using the row percentages.
Working on your own chi-square test of independence?
This Explorer is a free teaching resource. Its examples use simulated data, and it does not run analyses or look at your own output.
The Result Decoder (paid) is for your own results: you enter the values from your completed analysis and get an APA 7 results paragraph, a plain-English interpretation, checks on the values you entered, effect-size guidance, charts where available and Defend This Result practice.