In SPSS, how do I recode a nominal variable?
The recode command recodes a nominal variable that has a
limited number of values.
Suppose you want to recode an existing variable q1 so
that the scale is inverted (i.e., 5 =1, 4=2, 3=3, 2=4, 1=5). The
following command accomplishes this:
You can also use the recode command to recode more than
one variable at a time. The variables, in this case, need to have the
same coding structure. An example follows:
The above examples illustrate how to recode variables into the same variables. If you want to recode variables into different variables, add an 'into' command, with your new variables' names at the end:
RECODE q1 (5=1)(4=2)(2=4)(1=5) into new1. RECODE q1 to q10 (5=1)(4=2)(2=4)(1=5) into new1 to new10. You can also recode a string variable into a numeric target: RECODE sex ('M'=1) ('F'=2) into newsex.For more about statistical and mathematical software, email the UITS Stat/Math Center, visit the center's web page, or phone 812-855-4724 (IUB) or 317-278-4740 (IUPUI). The center is located in Bloomington at 410 N. Park Avenue, and is open for consultation by appointment Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Last modified on May 04, 2011.
