Date:         Wed, 2 Mar 2005 19:08:36 -0000
Reply-To:     "Hetter, Rebecca D,,DMDCWEST" <rebecca.hetter@osd.pentagon.mil>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Hetter, Rebecca D,,DMDCWEST" <rebecca.hetter@osd.pentagon.mil>
Subject:      Re: Break Variable - Reply
Comments: To: Harding Faulk <HFaulk@cheyney.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain

The SORT CASES statement has to include the total score variable ...

SORT CASES BY SSN TOTALSC.
MATCH FILES FILe=*/BY SSN/LAST= LASTOTAL.
SELECT IF LASTOTAL EQ 1.
EXECUTE.

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
Harding Faulk
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 8:26 AM
To: SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: FW: Break Variable - Reply


-----Original Message-----
From: Harding Faulk
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 11:08 AM
To: 'Kurt Wilkening'
Subject: RE: Break Variable - Reply

Assuming that your variables are in one record: SSN, var1, var2, var3, var4,
var5 and total score, you can sort by SSN and total scores in ascending
order.  The highest total scores should be last.  Then select the last SSN.
Using the following syntax:

SORT CASES BY SSN.
MATCH FILES FILE=*/BY=SSN/LAST=last.
EXECUTE.

Use the "Select if" function to select the LAST=1 and delete all other
records. You have to set the Delete option in order to delete records not
chosen or selected.  This is how I select the highest SAT scores for
students. It is simple quick and fast.

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
Kurt Wilkening
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 9:38 AM
To: SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Break Variable

I have a data file that contains SSN, five subtest scores (variables 1
through 5) and an overall total score. Some test takers took the test more
than once, so they have multiple records in the file. I want to create a new
datafile so that only one occurrence of SSN exists, and where multiple SSNs
are found, I'd like the program to select the SSN
(record) with the highest total score.

Aggregate function will give me the SSN with the highest total score, but I
want the five other variables to come over, too, that were associated with
the highest total score. Aggregate won't do that.

Any help to a syntax challenged individual?

Thx,


Kurt Wilkening
Personnel Research Manager
Hillsborough County Civil Service Office
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 17th Floor
Tampa, Florida 33602
http://www.hccsb.org
(813) 272-5625 x 336