SPSS Viva Preparation UK
SPSS viva preparation UK should focus on understanding rather than memorising software output. Examiners may ask why a statistical test was selected, how the sample was defined, what assumptions matter, what the estimates mean and how robust the conclusion is.
Know the Logic of Your Analysis
For every major research question, be able to state the outcome, predictors or groups, method selected and why that method fits the design.
Explain Assumptions
Do not simply say that assumptions were “met”. Explain which assumptions were relevant, how you assessed them and what you did if the evidence was imperfect.
Interpret Key Numbers
Be prepared to explain coefficients, group differences, p-values, effect sizes and confidence intervals in the real units or context of the study.
Discuss Limitations
A strong viva answer recognises what the design cannot establish. Cross-sectional associations do not prove causation, and a non-significant result does not prove equivalence.
Show Reproducibility
Know how the analysis could be rerun from the source data. Syntax, codebooks and a decision log demonstrate control over the analytical process.
Practice Questions
- Why did you choose this statistical test?
- Why did you not use an alternative method?
- How did you deal with missing data?
- How did you check model assumptions?
- What is the practical meaning of your effect size?
- How sensitive are your results to analytical choices?
- What would you change if you repeated the study?
Use SPSS Results Interpretation UK, Reproducible SPSS Analysis UK and Statistics Consulting UK for deeper preparation.