Variables, Measurement, and SPSS

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Introduction*and*Demonstration*of*SPSS

Introduction*and*Demonstration*of*SPSS Program Transcript

MATT JONES: Hi, my*name is*Dr. Matt Jones*and I'm a quantitative methodologist. And today*I'm here to give you a brief introduction and tutorial to SPSS. There are two sides*to SPSS, the Data View and the Variable View. If you look*down at the bottom*of the screen where my*cursor*is, you'll see that the data view is*currently*highlighted. These are the raw values*for*the data for*each case for*each respondent in this*particular*database.

If we click*on the Variable View the screen takes*us*over*to the information about all of the variables*in our*dataset. The first column is*the Variable Name. And this* is*the name that is*given to each variable in SPSS.

The second column tells*us*what type of variable it is. Typically*for*most of our* basic*data analysis, we will be dealing with numeric*variables. If we move over*to the Label column, which can be expanded by*just placing your*cursor*over*at the top, and expanding or*either*minimizing, this*provides*us*the label or*the description in quote, unquote "plain English"*for*each of the variables.

It's also important to note the values*for*each specific*variable. If you click*on the Value Box, a little gray*box*is*highlighted next to it. If you go ahead and click*on that, it will open up another*window. Here you will see the value labels*for*each value.

Here we can see each variable is*coded with values*of 0, 1, 2, 8, and 9. In this* case for*this*data set, a value of 0 equals*in applicable 1 equals*yes, 2 equals*no, 8 equals*don't know, and 9 equals*no answer. You can go ahead and cancel that box.

If you click*on missing cells, a little gray*box*is*highlighted off to the right. Go ahead and click*on that, and that brings*up discrete missing values*for*this* specific*variable. Here you can see that the discrete missing values*of 0, 8, and 9 are coded as*being missing.

It's important to note this*information because these values*will not be used in any*statistical analysis*within the set. If we hit Cancel and go back*to our*values* we can see that those specific*values*of 0, 8, and 9 reference inapplicable, don't know, or*no answer. Therefore, they*will not be used in analysis*and treated as* missing data.

It's also important to note the column Measure. There are three options*here, scale, ordinal, and nominal. This*refers to the level of measurement for*that specific*variable. It's important that these be accurately*entered because SPSS* will not perform*some functions*because it makes*assumptions*about levels*of measurement for*certain procedures.

©2016 Laureate*Education, Inc. 1

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Introduction*and*Demonstration*of*SPSS

You could also obtain variable information by*going to the top of the screen, clicking on Utilities, and clicking on Variables. Off to the left hand side of the screen you'll see a list of all the variables*within the specific*dataset. The information to the right tells*you specifically*about the variable. The variable name, the label, the missing values, its*level of measurement, and the labels*for* that specific*value.

You can choose any*variable within this*data set, and it will provide you with that specific*information. You can also click*on Go To, which will take you to that specific*variable. Here you will see that that variable is*highlighted.

And that's a quick*overview of the two sides*of SPSS, Data View and Variable View. If you have further*questions, be sure and utilize your*textbook*and also your*instructor*as*a valuable resource.

©2016 Laureate*Education, Inc. 2