PSYCHOMETRIC STUDIO

Changing Decimal Places In SPSS

Thanks for the explanation. Very succinct and clear.

“Decimal places can be changed by the FORMATS command. Just note that the first number refers to the width of the entire variable (including decimals) so the second number (decimals) should always be smaller.”

“Also, keep in mind that the actual data values will not change because of using FORMATS. They are merely displayed differently.”

SOURCE: https://www.spss-tutorials.com/changing-variable-properties-4-width-and-decimals/

For example, the correct display format in SPSS for these numbers are:

F4.2 = 12.00

F3.2 = 1.00

F6.2 = 1234.00

NB: the number immediately after F refers to the total width of the number / variable.

"For numeric variables, 'width' refers to how many digits should be displayed. However, SPSS will often override the specified width is it's insufficient. If not, FORMATS can be used for increasing it."

See also:

https://www.spss-tutorials.com/spss-formats-command/

More On The SPSS Execute Command

Ok, Ok, Ok… Maybe I use too many EXECUTE commands in my syntax coding. But hey, isn’t coding like speaking a language?... I can use my own words and style. (Obviously, over time you can come up with clearer and shorter language, but if the language gets the job done in the first instance…)

Here is some more information on the SPSS Execute command:

“There are two types of commands in SPSS: transformations and procedures. Transformations include compute, if, recode and count. Transformations do not force SPSS to read through the dataset, and so nothing happens until a procedure forces SPSS to read through the dataset. For example, if you run a compute command by itself, you will see a message in the lower left corner of the window a message that says "Transformations pending’.”

“Procedures require SPSS to read through the dataset. The execute command is an ‘empty’ procedure; all it does is force SPSS to read through the dataset. The commands create and shift values are procedures, so the execute command is not needed after them. However, because the compute command is a transformation, some procedure, often execute, must follow to allow compute to generate the new variable. The execute command is often shortened to exe.”

SOURCE:

http://stats.idre.ucla.edu/spss/faq/what-are-some-of-the-differences-between-the-compute-create-and-shift-values-commands/

This web-page also talks about loop commands, temporary commands, create commands, and shift value commands (lead, lag and shift).

Wise Words From Dr. Julie Pallant In Relation To Using SPSS

Wise words from Dr. Julie Pallant in relation to using SPSS:

"Always press the Options button for any statistical procedure you conduct and check which of these options is ticked (the default option varies across procedures). I would strongly recommend that you use pairwise exclusion of missing data, unless you have a pressing reason to do otherwise. The only situation where you might need to use listwise exclusion is when you want to refer only to a subset of cases that provide a full set of results." (page 209)

SOURCE: SPSS Survival Manual (3rd Edition)

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/academic-professional/research-methods/SPSS-Survival-Manual-Julie-Pallant-9781760291952

 

This advice about using pair-wise (versus list-wise) deletion of missing data in SPSS is especially important for correlational analyses of tests and test items.

SPSS Joy!

SPSS Joy!

Here is my favourite image while SPSS syntax code is running.

This means my executable lines of code are running - hopefully with no line errors noted.

When the coding works out it is sheer SPSS Joy!

(I tend to use lots of execute statements with my own style of SPSS syntax coding - the "heart beat" method, as I call it.)

What Is Your Unit Of Measurement?

Shopping at Woolworths today I noticed this promotional sign.

The slogan says "Hulk weighs as much as 5500 apples!"

It raises an important issue in psychometrics: What is your unit of measurement?

 

POSTSCRIPT: The Line Of The Sea

Here is a postscript to my previous post about "the line of the sea":

"Anything Below 7 Is A Failing Grade"

"Anything below 7 is a FAILING GRADE."

On this numerical rating scale a score below seven is considered a fail. Telling raters this alters the numerical properties of the 0 to 10 scale making a response below 7 very strong or powerful. For instance, 5 is no longer the mid point. Also "good scores" 7, 8, 9, 10 are restricted in their range and 'maxed out' at 10. (What happens if every customer is encouraged to score 10? What information does this tell the company?)

Perhaps there are also only 5 levels in the scale 0 (0 to 6), 1 (7), 2 (8), 3 (9), 4 (10). Or 3 levels 0 (0 to 6), 1 (7 to 8), 2 (9 to 10). Or 2 levels 0 (0 to 6), 1 (7 to 10).

We need to see the distributions - to see how the numbers fall ...

And do the numbers given by raters behave properly as real numbers i.e. A score of 3 is greater than a score of 2, a score of 2 is greater than a score of 1, and a score of 1 is greater than a score of zero.

Another way of saying this is "What is the best or most effective way to represent these ordered responses?"

Looking For Anomalies In The Fabric Of A Dataset

Looking for anomalies in the fabric of a dataset …

What could the anomaly be?

ANSWER: Fishlight fish in a dark tank (Noumea Aquarium)

SOURCE: http://www.aquarium.nc/en/discover-the-aquarium1/visit-the-aquarium/discover-all-the-areas/140-fluorescent-corals-and-flashlight-fish

What Do You Measure Things By? What Marks Or Co-Ordinates Do You Use?

What do you measure things by?

What marks or co-ordinates do you use?

Are they stable?

Are they useful?

Do they get you to your goal or destination?

The Line Of The Sea

The line of the sea.

Dividing the sky from the water.

Searching for anomalies on our horizon.

Perhaps we will find land...