Recoding with a syntax

This week we got a question from Timo.

Is it possible to use syntax when recoding variables? For example, if I
had a variable that included the following values:

Ladybird
Bluebird
Elm
Butterfly

and I wanted to recode any values that included ‘bird’ into a new value
‘bird’, can I do this with the Recode transformation?

To solve to problem the following syntax is an option:

DATA LIST LIST /var1(A15).
BEGIN DATA
Bluebird
Ladybird
Birdwatcher
Butterfly
Elm
END DATA.

STRING newVar(A15).
DO IF INDEX(UPCASE(var1),”BIRD”) > 0 .
- COMPUTE newVar=”BIRD”.
END IF.
EXECUTE.

Add comment August 17th, 2006 mark

How to create a cross table

The most easy way to present data in a cross table is to use the table function in SPSS. To do this first go to analyze>tables>basic tables. This opens the following screen.

Now we drag the question “what is your sex?” into down and “SPSS lessons” into across. By clicking statistics we will get the following screen.

To get the amount and the row percentage into the crosstable, we drag “row%” and “count” into the right box. Now we click continue.
By clicking ok you will get the following cross table:

Tip: If you want a total percentage or amount in your table, just click on “total” at the basic tables screen, and choose the option “totals over each group variables”.

4 comments May 27th, 2006 mark

How to create a frequency table

The most easy way to present data is to create a table. There are different ways in SPSS to create a table. We will describe the most common way of creating table.
The most common way of creating a table is with the descriptive statistics function. To do this first go to analyze>descriptive statistics>frequencies. This opens the following screen:

Now we drag the question “what is your sex?” into the variables. By clicking ok you will get the following tables:

The first table shows how many valid cases there are and how many there are missing.
The second table shows:
- The 1st column: This shows the value names and the total.
- The 2nd column: This show the frequency of the values.
- The 3rd column: This shows the percentage of the values including the missing cases.
- The 4th column: This shows the percentage of the values excluding the missing cases.
- The 5th column: This shows the cumulative percentage; this can be important information.

2 comments May 21st, 2006 mark

Make your codebook

This example is based on a market research project. In this project a questionnaire went out and we got a lot of data back from our respondents. To have a guideline when filling in your data, using a codebook is very handy. In fact, it is essential if someone else is filling in data for you. Below you can find an explanation on how to make this codebook.

1. Make a copy of your questionnaire document, and name it e.g. codebook.doc (a little obvious, I know).
2. Change the question numbers into variable names. The most logical thing to do is to give question 1 the variable name q1, question 2 the variable name q2, etc.

2 comments May 10th, 2006 andris

How to obtain subgroup Means

Many visitors of our blog are searching for information about the one sample t-test.

From the menus choose: Analyze>Compare Means>Means

Select one or more dependent variables.Use one of the following methods to select categorical independent variables:

Select one or more independent variables. Separate results are displayed for each independent variable.
Select one or more layers of independent variables. Each layer further subdivides the sample. If you have one independent variable in Layer 1 and one independent variable in Layer 2, the results are displayed in one crossed table, as opposed to separate tables for each independent variable.

Add comment May 8th, 2006 mark

Importing data from an ASCII file

First refer to Importing data into SPSS. If you have read it, than you can continue below.
Typically, columns of data in an ASCII file are separated by a space, tab, comma, or some other character. SPSS has a Text Import Wizard that will help you import data in an ASCII file format:

1. Select File -> Open -> Data
2. Choose Text as the File Type if your ASCII file has the .txt extension. Otherwise you could choose the option All files
3. Select the file you want to import and click Open

3 comments May 3rd, 2006 andris

Import data from an Excel file

First refer to Importing data into SPSS. If you have read it, than you can continue below.
Before you start the actual import process, please keep in mind that the Excel file should not be opened in Excel.

1. Select File -> Open -> Data
2. Choose Excel as the File Type
3. Select the file you want to import and click Open

 

3 comments May 3rd, 2006 andris

Nominal, ordinal and scale

Today Erik from the Netherlands sent us the following question:

What is the diffrence between nominal, ordinal and scale?

In SPSS you can specify the level of measurement as scale (numeric data on an interval or ratio scale), ordinal, or nominal. Nominal and ordinal data can be either string alphanumeric) or numeric.But what is the difference?

Nominal.
A variable can be treated as nominal when its values represent categories with no intrinsic ranking; for example, the department of the company in which an employee works. Examples of nominal variables include region, zip code, or religious affiliation.A variable can be treated as nominal when its values represent categories with no intrinsic ranking; for example, the department of the company in which an employee works. Examples of nominal variables include region, zip code, or religious affiliation.

6 comments May 3rd, 2006 mark

Import data from a tab delimited text file

First refer to Importing data into SPSS. If you have read it, than you can continue below.

1. Select File -> Open -> Data
2. Choose Text as the File Type
3. Select the file you want to import and click Open

4. The next thing that will pop up is the Import text wizard. First click Next if your file does not match a predefined format. It probably doesn’t, so click Next. :) 

5. In step 2, you can set the first question to Delimited. In the second question you choose wether you have a header row or not (are variables names included in the top of the file). After setting the options right, choose Next.

2 comments May 3rd, 2006 andris

Importing data into SPSS

Importing some data

If you have a small amount of data you want to get into SPSS, the most easy way is to simply Copy Paste it into SPSS. Be aware to check if everything ends up in the right cell, and if  you really have all the data you need. The most safe way to get this data into SPSS, would be to import it. Especially if you have a lot of data.

Importing a lot of data

5 comments May 3rd, 2006 andris