Data DefinitionGuideline in PDF

Aim

Proper documentation of variables.

Description

For the raw system files that have been obtained as described in 1.3-01 there needs to be an evaluation of the extent to which these files have been documented regarding the presence of variable labels, value labels and missing value codes. This needs to be undertaken and documented for each variable. Proper documentation ensures that co-researchers can also use the data and that the study can be properly archived at a later stage.
Problems can arise in particular when transforming MS-Access and Teleform files into SPSS system files, since there is no single labelling of data available as of yet. SPSS commands such as VARIABLE LABELS, VALUE LABELS and MISSING VALUES can be used to address this issue. If a proper codebook is already available for each questionnaire, then the introduction of variable and value labels in SPSS may potentially be omitted. Missing value definitions should, where applicable to a variable, always be included in the SPSS system file. The right labels and missing value codes can be linked to the variables using the available codebook.

Data imported using Blaise or SPSS Data Entry often already contain missing value definitions and also variable and value labels. This can be set relatively simply in the design of the input screen.

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Meeting Data Management part 2.

Introductory course SPSS (A-015) for the Post-Initial Master’s programme in Epidemiology

V1.1: 1 Jan 2010: English translation.
V1.0: 13 Apr 2004.

Have all the variables been defined fully and clearly?