Using SPSS to Understand Research and Data Analysis.

• 2.4b Entering Commands & Data in the Syntax File

We will be working with the Data Editor window in this book, so we will not discuss the Syntax Editor in detail here. For now, just type the file exactly as it appears in in Figure 2.15 into your blank Syntax Editor.

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The first line of this file consists of syntax code, or SPSS commands, called the DATA LIST statement. This instructs SPSS how to read the data in the file. Note that the three variables (ID, Sex, and Courses) are defined on this line.

The actual lines of data (scores) are always sandwiched between a Begin Data and an End Data syntax commands. Note that the data are organized exactly like they are in Table 2.1 and Figure 2.10. That is, each line of data (or row) consists of each student’s ID number, code for sex, and number of psychology courses.

The last two lines instruct SPSS to generate frequency tables of each variable. Note that except for the lines listing the data, the lines containing syntax code must all end with a period. After you have created your file, you will be ready to save it as a syntax file.