Research methodology
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The
Data Editor window is similar to a spreadsheet. The rows
represent individual cases
(observations) and the columns represent variables
2
. A single cell is
an intersection of a case
and a variable e.g. the height of person x.
The
Output window is where SPSS displays the statistics and reports from the analysis of
your data.
Entering Data
When you start SPSS you are automatically placed in the Data Editor window.
The active cell
in the window has a heavy black border around it, indicating that any
data you type will be
entered into that cell. You can move around the Data Editor window by using the arrow keys
(←, ↑, →, ↓), or by clicking on cells with the mouse.
Table1 presents some patient data that we can enter in to SPSS.
For each patient we have
collected the following data from their medical notes: gender, age and blood group. The data
has
already been coded
3
by a researcher.
Table1: Patient data
Gender
Age
Blood group
1
21 2
2
39 1
2
43 1
1
55 1
1
26 4
1
19 4
2
65 2
2
41 2
1
61 3
1
50 1
Where for Gender: 1 = male, 2 =
female
and for Blood Group: 1 = O, 2 = A, 3 = AB, 4 = B.
