Lesson 1:

Data Management Preparation

Time Allotment: One Hour
 Introduction
Welcome! To the Data Analysis
Workshop! The first lesson introduces
you to the software called Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences.
Objectives At the end of this lesson,
you shall be able to:

1. Name and define SPSS variables

2. Prepare a Code Book
3. Follow coding instructions
4. Respond to survey items using a six-
point scale
5. Create an SPSS data file
 Putting your mind into action

Setting up a Data File

Suppose a survey has been conducted to
investigate the extent to which Filipinos
agree with increases in government
spending in the three areas of: defense,
social security, and child care services.
Responses to these three issues were
obtained from the questionnaire
presented in Table1.
Preparing a Code Book

Prior to data entry, it will be useful to prepare a

code book that contains the names of the
variables in the questionnaire, their
corresponding SPSS variable names, and their
coding instructions. An important purpose of
such a code book is to allow the researcher to
keep track of all the variables in the survey
questionnaire and the way they are defined in
the SPSS data file.
TABLE 1 Survey Questionnaire
a) Gender: 1. _____ Male 2. _____ Female
b) Age: ___________ (in years)
c) The following statements relate to increases in government spending in the areas of defense, social
security, and child care services. Please consider these three statements carefully and then decide
your level of agreement with the government’s decision to increase spending. Please indicate your
level of agreement by circling the number on each six-point scale.
(i) Increased spending in defense.
1___________ 2 ___________ 3 ___________ 4 ___________ 5 ___________ 6 ___________
Strongly Moderately Barely Barely Moderately Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree agree
(ii) Increased spending in social security.
1___________ 2 ___________ 3 ___________ 4 ___________ 5 ___________ 6 ___________
Strongly Moderately Barely Barely Moderately Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree agree
(iii) Increased spending in child care services.
1___________ 2 ___________ 3 ___________ 4 ___________ 5 ___________ 6 ___________
Strongly Moderately Barely Barely Moderately Strongly
disagree disagree disagree agree agree agree
Code Book

Variable SPSS Variable Name Code

Gender Gender 1 = male
2 = female
Age Age Age in years
Defense Defense 1 = strongly disagree
2 = moderately disagree
3 = barely disagree
4 = barely agree
5 = moderately agree
6 = strongly agree
Social security Social 1 = strongly disagree
2 = moderately disagree
3 = barely disagree
4 = barely agree
5 = moderately agree
6 = strongly agree
Child care Child 1 = strongly disagree
2 = moderately disagree
3 = barely disagree
4 = barely agree
5 = moderately agree
6 = strongly agree
TABLE 3

Raw Data
Gender Age Defense Social Child
1 24 4 2 1
1 18 5 1 4
2 33 2 5 6
1 29 5 3 4
2 26 3 5 5
2 19 2 5 2
1 36 4 4 3
2 34 3 6 6
1 20 3 5 1
2 21 2 5 3
Table_ presents the responses obtained from a sample of ten
respondents to the questionnaire.

Putting your ideas into work

Creating an SPSS Data File

The following steps demonstrate how the data
presented in Table 3 are entered into an SPSS data file.

1. When the SPSS program is launched, the following

window will open: Because the purpose of the
present exercise is to create a new data file, close
this window by clicking ____. The following screen
will then be displayed:
Untitled – SPSS Data Editor

2. Prior to data entry, the variables in the data set must be

named and defined. In the Untitled – SPSS Data Editor screen,
the names of the variables are listed down the side, with their
characteristics listed along the top (Type, Width, Decimals,
Label, Values, Missing, Columns, Align, and Measure). The
code book presented in Table 2 will serve as a guide in
naming and defining the variables. For example, the first
variable is named GENDER and is coded 1 = male.
 EXERCISE 1
DATA MANAGEMENT
PREPARATION

Time Allotment
20 Minutes
CHECK POINTS:
1. Feel free to ask clarificatory questions:
1.a. orally, if you’re up to it!
1.b. in writing if you’re not.
2. Also, feel free to respond to questions if you happen to
know the answer.

CLOSURE:
Are you ready for the next lesson?