Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 19:56:22 -0600
Reply-To: "Matheson, David" <davidm@SPSS.COM>
Sender: "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From: "Matheson, David" <davidm@SPSS.COM>
Subject: Re: Combining Variables
Sheril,
To be of much help, we would need to know how you want multiracial
responses to be coded. Suppose codes 1-8 correspond to yes responses to
only 1 of the 8 variables. There are 28 possible biracial responses. Would
you want these to occupy codes 9-36 on the new ethnicity variable? Perhaps
with a code 37 for 3 or more ethnic groups checked? This set of codes is
only 1 possible scenario. Another scenario would be forced choice of 1 of
the ethnic groups chosen, but then you'd have to provide a basis for that
choice.
Also, note that if the variable is to be used for descriptive purposes,
such as cross-tabulation without inferential statistics, you may be able to
get the information you want from the MULT RESPONSE procedure. The original
8 variables could be declared as a multiple dichotomy set. You would likely
want to use cases, rather than responses, as the percentage base.
David Matheson
SPSS Technical Support
-----Original Message-----
From: Sheril Smith [mailto:iresrs@LANGATE.GSU.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 11:02 AM
To: SPSSX-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU
Subject: Combining Variables
Hi All,
I'm new to this list, so forgive me if this question has been previously
asked.
I have a data set from a questionnaire that we recently sent out. One
question asked about race/ethnicity of respondents. Respondents were able
to check more than one category as they saw fit, thus each racial category
became it's own separate variable. I'm now trying to combine all eight
racial categories into one variable, so that I'll end up with one variable,
'ethicity', rather than 'white', 'black', 'asian', 'hispanic', etc. Does
anyone know how I might accomplish this task?
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Sheril R. Smith
Doctoral Student
Research Analyst I
Office of Institutional Research
Georgia State University
(404) 651-1075
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