Data File Management and Descriptive Statistics with SPSS – Problem 5.3: Recode and Compute Pleasure Scale Score

Now let’s Compute the average “pleasure from math” scale score (pleasure scale) from item02, item06 , item10, and item14 after reversing (Recoding) item06 and item10, which are negatively worded or low pleasure items (see the codebook in Chapter 1). We will keep both the new item06r and item10r and old (item06 and item10) variables to check the recodes and to play it safe. Then we will Label the new computed variable as pleasure scale.

Compute the average pleasure scale from item02, item06, item10, and item14 after reversing (use the Recode function) item06 and item10. Name the new computed variable pleasure and label its highest and lowest values.

  • Click on Transform  Recode Into Different Variables.
  • Click on Reset to clear the window of old information as a precaution.
  • Click on
  • Click on the arrow
  • Click on Output Variable Name and type
  • Click on Label and type item06 reversed.
  • Finally click on Change.
  • Now repeat these steps for item10. Does it look like Fig. 5.7?

Fig. 5.7. Recode into different variables

  • Click on Old and New Values to get Fig. 5.8.
  • Now click on the Value box (under Old Value) and type 4.
  • Click on the Value box for the New Value and type 1.
  • Click on Add.

This is the first step in recoding. You have told the computer to change values of 4 to 1. Now do these steps over to recode the values 3 to 2, 2 to 3, and 1 to 4. If you did it right, the screen will look like Fig. 5.8 in the Old –> New box. Check your box carefully to be sure the recodes are exactly like Fig. 5.8.

 Fig. 5.8. Recode: Old and new values.

  • Click on Continue and then OK.

Now check your Data file to see if there is an item06r and an item10r in the last two columns with numbers ranging from 1 to 4. To double check the recodes, compare the item06 and item10 columns in your data file with the item06r and item10r columns for a few subjects. Also, you should check your syntax file with Output 5.3a.

Output 5.3a: Recoding and Computing Pleasure Scale Score

RECODE item06 item10 (4=1) (3=2) (2=3) (1=4) INTO item06r item10r.

VARIABLE LABELS item06r ‘item06 reversed’ /item10r ‘item10 reversed’.

EXECUTE.

Now let’s compute the average pleasure scale.

  • Click on Transform  Compute Variable.
  • In the Target Variable box of Fig. 5. 9, type pleasure.

Fig. 5.9.Compute variable.

  • Click on Type & Label and give it the name pleasure scale (see Fig. 5.10).
  • Click on Continue to return to Fig. 5.9.
  • In the Numeric Expression box type (item02+item06r+item10r+item14)/ Be sure that what you typed is exactly like this!
  • Finally, click on

Fig. 5.10. Compute variable: Type and label.

  • Now provide Value Labels for the pleasure scale using commands similar to those you used for father’s educ revised.
  • Type 1, then very low, and click
  • Type 4, then very high, and click See Fig. 5.6 if you need help.

In the Compute method we just used, the computer added items 02, 06r, 10r, and 14 and then divided the sum by four, giving the result a new name, pleasure. Be sure your formula is exactly like the one shown. For example, you must have the parentheses, and you must have zero (not the letter O) in front of item02 and item06r.

It is safer (but slower) to use the key pad than to type the formula in the Numeric Expression box in Fig. 5.9; you are less likely to make a mistake. To use the key pad, click on item02 and the arrow to move it to the right, then click on +, click item06r and move it, click +, and so forth.

It is prudent to calculate the pleasure score by hand for a few participants to be sure it was done correctly. The computer will not make calculation mistakes but sometimes you may not tell it exactly what you intended. Check your syntax with the one in Output 5.3b.

Source: Morgan George A, Leech Nancy L., Gloeckner Gene W., Barrett Karen C.

(2012), IBM SPSS for Introductory Statistics: Use and Interpretation, Routledge; 5th edition; download Datasets and Materials.

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