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SHS Lite - User Guide: A guide to using the Scottish Household Survey simplified dataset
3. Reading the Data
Opening SHS Lite
- Within SPSS, select File, Open, Data… from the menu bar or click
on the toolbar - Choose the location of the file and select the relevant dataset file
Figure 1 - Open File dialog box
- Choose
! Note | The names of the datasets included on the CD may vary from the one displayed above. |
3.2 Viewing the Dataset
There are two ways to view the information contained in the SHS Lite dataset: Data View and Variable View.
- Data View displays each household questioned as a separate row and each questionnaire item as a separate column ( see Figure 2).
- Variable View displays each questionnaire item as a separate row and each variable attribute as a separate column ( see Figure 4).
3.2.1 Switching Between Views
You can switch from one view to the other by choosing one of the following methods:
- Clicking
at the bottom left of the screen - Selecting View, Variables or Data from the menu bar
- Pressing [Ctrl+T] on the keyboard
3.2.2 Viewing Value Labels
Initially the SHS Lite dataset will be displayed as values in Data View. It can be easier to understand this data if you display its value labels. This feature can be turned on or off by choosing one of the following methods:
- Selecting View, Value Labels from the menu bar
- Clicking on
the toolbar
! Note | Figure 2 displays the SHS Lite Values. Figure 3 displays Value Labels. For example, compare the la column in each Figure. |
3.2.3 Data View
Many of the features in this view are similar to those of a spreadsheet, however:
- Rows are cases. For example, each household questioned is a separate case.
- Columns are variables. For example, each item on a questionnaire is a variable.
! Note | If you position the mouse over a variable name, a more descriptive variable label is displayed if one has been defined ( see Figure 2 for illustrative boxes). |
Figure 2- Data View displaying Values
Figure 3 - Data View displaying Value Labels
3.2.4 Variable View
This view contains descriptions of the attributes of each variable in SHS Lite. In this view:
- Rows are variables
- Columns are variable attributes
Figure 4 - Variable View
3.3 Saving the Dataset File
You can save the changes you have made to the dataset file in a location of your choice. However, it is not advisable to save changes made to the actual data in case mistakes have been made. This could result in future analysis showing the wrong information. The original version of the dataset will always be available on the CD.
Methods of saving
- Clicking
on the toolbar which will update the changes to the current file - Choosing File, Save As... from the menu bar and specifying a different location for the data file
! Note | Once you have done some analysis, you will probably want to save Output windows. This is discussed further in Section 7.3 on page 45 |
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