Running an analysis in SPSS is only half the job. The difficult part is turning the output into a clear argument. I often see results chapters filled with copied tables and screenshots, yet the reader cannot tell what the analysis actually found. Good APA-style reporting explains the result, supports it with key statistics and connects it to the research question.
Quick answer
An APA-style result names the test and its purpose, gives descriptive statistics (M, SD), the test statistic with degrees of freedom, the exact p-value and an effect size, then states what the finding means for the research question. Example: t(98) = 3.91, p < .001, d = 0.79.
1. Start with the test and its purpose
Begin by stating which analysis was conducted and why. For example: “An independent samples t-test was conducted to examine whether job satisfaction differed between two employee groups.” This tells the reader what was tested and why.
2. Report the statistics that matter
Do not paste the entire SPSS output into the main text. Select the statistics that matter most. Depending on the test, these may include:
- Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations)
- The test statistic and degrees of freedom
- The exact p-value
- Confidence intervals
- An effect size
APA example for an independent samples t-test
“Job satisfaction was significantly higher in Group A (M = 4.21, SD = 0.56) than in Group B (M = 3.74, SD = 0.61), t(98) = 3.91, p < .001, d = 0.79.”
This sentence reports more than significance. The effect size helps the reader judge the practical size of the difference. A statistically significant finding is not automatically an important one.
| Test | What to report in APA style |
|---|---|
| Independent t-test | M, SD for each group, t(df), p, Cohen’s d |
| One-way ANOVA | F(df1, df2), p, Ī·Ā², post hoc results |
| Chi-square | ĻĀ²(df, N), p, CramĆ©r’s V |
| Correlation | r(df), p |
| Regression | RĀ², F(df1, df2), p, B, Ī², t, p for each predictor |
3. Do not interpret SPSS mechanically
One of the biggest improvements you can make is to stop treating the “Sig.” column as the conclusion. Check assumptions where appropriate, use the correct row of the output and interpret the direction and size of the finding.
For example, with Levene’s test, p < .05 means the equal-variance assumption is not supported, so the “Equal variances not assumed” result should normally be reported.
My reporting checklist
Before submitting, I ask:
- Have I explained why the test was used?
- Have I reported the relevant statistics?
- Have I included an effect size where appropriate?
- Have I avoided claiming causation from an association?
- Does the paragraph answer the research question?
APA style is not about making statistics look complicated. It is about making your evidence precise, readable and defensible. If you are also unsure which test to run, read our guide on Mann-Whitney U vs the independent samples t-test.
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Get SPSS helpFrequently asked questions
Should I include SPSS output tables in my dissertation?
Put only formatted APA tables in the main text. Raw SPSS output usually belongs in an appendix, if your university asks for it at all.
How do I report a p-value in APA style?
Report the exact p-value to two or three decimals (for example p = .032). For very small values write p < .001. Do not write p = .000.
Do I need to report effect size?
Yes. APA style recommends reporting effect sizes such as Cohen’s d, eta squared or r so readers can judge how large the effect is.
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