Application: Analyzing Frequency Distributions

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PUBH6032 - Module 4 Application Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Import the Microsoft Excel data file into SPSS

1. Save the Module 4 Application dataset (Excel file) to your computer.

2. Open SPSS, select “Open an existing data source,” highlight “More Files,” and click OK.

3. Look to the bottom of the Open Data dialog box and use the “Files of type” drop-down

menu to select Excel file (instead of SPSS). Locate the folder where you saved the

Module 4 Application dataset Excel file, highlight it, and click OK.

4. In the Opening Excel Data Source dialog box, make sure “Read variable names from the

first row of data” is checked and click OK.

5. The data should now be imported into SPSS.

Step 2: Create an ungrouped frequency distribution table for each of the following:

AGE, SEX, GROUP, CHNG_CHOL, HDL, and GLYHB

1. Click Analyze > Descriptive Statistics > Frequencies.

2. Highlight AGE, SEX, GROUP, CHNG_CHOL,HDL, and GLYHB. Click on the arrow button to

move them over to the “Variables” box.

3. Make sure the “Display Frequency Tables” box is checked.

4. Click OK.

Step 3: Review your SPSS output and answer each of the following questions:

1. Types of variables – Click on Variable View and review the Measure column. Note that

scale = quantitative and nominal = categorical.

2. How many? – Manually add up the frequency column.

3. What percent X years or younger? – Review the cumulative percent column.

4. What percent? – Review the valid percent column.

Step 4: Paste each required frequency distribution table below.

1. In the Viewer pane, select File > Export.

2. Under “Objects to Export,” select All.

3. From the “Type” drop-down list, select Word/RTF (*.doc).

4. In “File Name,” give the output a unique name (e.g., OUTPUT_Module4). (Note the file

folder where the Word document will be saved. The default is typically C:\Documents.)

5. Click OK to generate the Word file.

*Now you can cut-and-paste the information from this Word file into the Module worksheet.

You should also save the SPSS file you created for future assignments.