Collier J. Using SPSS Syntax: A Beginner's Guide

SAGE Publications Ltd – 2010, 216 p.
ISBN: 1412922186, 9781412922180SPSS syntax is the command language used by SPSS to carry out all of its commands and functions. Jacqueline Collier’s book is primarily aimed at people who have never used the syntax option in SPSS, or have just started to use it.
This is an introductory text designed to show readers how to try using syntax themselves and to then support them through its use. It is ideal for those who are experienced in using SPSS through the usual button menu-driven graphical interface (GIF), but who are novices regarding syntax.List of Syntax Command Examples ix
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xivExplanations and Illustrations of the Log and the Journal
The Journal – What it Is, and How to Set the Journal Options
Appropriately for Syntax Use
How to Set the Journal
The Log – What it Is, and How to Set the Log Options Appropriately for
Syntax Use
Syntax Files
Methods for Opening the Syntax Editor
Writing a Syntax File Using the Log
Creating a Repeat Analysis Syntax FileSPSS Conventions
Syntax for Data Entry
Different Methods of Data Entry in SPSSResources
Increasing the Usability of the Datafile
Variable Names
Labelling the Variables
Labelling the Values of Data in the Datafile
Missing Values
Checking the Datafi le Layout and Variable ContentAmending the Datafile
Extracting to a Smaller Datafi le
Adding New Variables to a Dataset
Adding New Cases to an Existing Datafi leSyntax Involving String Variables
Converting Numeric Values to Text Representations of Numbers
Converting Text Representations of Numbers to Numeric Values
Converting Categorical Text to Numeric Values
Date as Text into Date Format
Manipulating String VariablesSyntax Involving Date and Time Variables
How SPSS Works with Dates and Time
Date and Time Wizard
Setting the Date and Time Formats
Extracting Month, Day of Week, Year
Calculations Including Both Date and TimeSyntax for Manipulating Numeric Variables
Basic Principles to Observe in Transforming Data and Creating Variables
Advantages of Using Syntax
Deleting Variables
Routine/Simple Data Manipulation
Creating Categories from Continuous Numerical Data
Counting Data ValuesSyntax for Data Exploration
Data Analysis Plans
Exploring Categorical Data
Exploring (or Describing) Numerical Data
Statistics to Examine the Distribution of DataSyntax to Enable the Use of Only Sub-sections of the Data
Selecting only a Certain Part of Your Data to Be Included in the Analysis
Enabling the Analysis to Be Presented Separately for Certain Groups
Use of the TEMPORARY and SELECT IF CommandsSyntax for Graphs
Overview of Creating Graphs in SPSS
Templates
Graphs Created from Legacy Dialogs via the Interactive Option
Graphs Created from Legacy Dialogs via Individual Graph Type Options
Graphs Created from Chart BuilderSyntax for Univariate Analysis
Categorical Data
Ordinal Data – Differences
Interval Data – Differences
CorrelationsSyntax for Linear and Logistic Regression Analysis
Linear Regression
Logistic Regression
Usefulness of SyntaxUnderstanding Error Messages and Warnings
Differences between ERROR and WARNING messagesIndex of Commands and Keywords