missing data

[Kelly Sorensen]

I encountered a problem with a survey we administered and a number of
respondents were "kicked off" the survey before they could answer any
questions. I'd like to remove these cases from the dataset but the
instructions asked respondents to leave cases blank where they felt an
item did not apply to them. These cases I'd like to keep. There are too
many cases to reliably remove cases manually, but I'm having trouble
coming up with syntax to identify the cases where there are NO data for
the variables of interest (though we do have background data). Summing the
variables doesn't seem to work, but it SPSS doesn't add the cases with
systems missing data.

I'm working with SPSS 12.0. I've gotten some ideas from the archives, but
nothing has worked as yet.

Kelly

[statisticsdoc]

Stephen Brand
www.statisticsdoc.com

Kelly,

How were subjects kicked off the survey?  Were they kicked off the survey
based on specific answers to particular items?  Would it be reasonable to
select out cases with that pattern of responses to the "gateway" items?

HTH,

Stephen Brand

For personalized and professional consultation in statistics and research
design, visit
www.statisticsdoc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of
Kelly Sorensen
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2:08 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: missing data


I encountered a problem with a survey we administered and a number of
respondents were "kicked off" the survey before they could answer any
questions. I'd like to remove these cases from the dataset but the
instructions asked respondents to leave cases blank where they felt an
item did not apply to them. These cases I'd like to keep. There are too
many cases to reliably remove cases manually, but I'm having trouble
coming up with syntax to identify the cases where there are NO data for
the variables of interest (though we do have background data). Summing the
variables doesn't seem to work, but it SPSS doesn't add the cases with
systems missing data.

I'm working with SPSS 12.0. I've gotten some ideas from the archives, but
nothing has worked as yet.

Kelly

[Melissa Ives]

Kelly,

Can you use the NVALID function to create a sum of the total number of
valid responses (overall and/or for 'variables of interest) per
client--then set a cutoff level where they have to have at least X
number valid to be included.
For example:

Compute vitalvld=nvalid(vitalvar1,vitalvar2,...vitalvarn).

Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
Kelly Sorensen
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:08 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SPSSX-L] missing data

I encountered a problem with a survey we administered and a number of
respondents were "kicked off" the survey before they could answer any
questions. I'd like to remove these cases from the dataset but the
instructions asked respondents to leave cases blank where they felt an
item did not apply to them. These cases I'd like to keep. There are too
many cases to reliably remove cases manually, but I'm having trouble
coming up with syntax to identify the cases where there are NO data for
the variables of interest (though we do have background data). Summing
the variables doesn't seem to work, but it SPSS doesn't add the cases
with systems missing data.

I'm working with SPSS 12.0. I've gotten some ideas from the archives,
but nothing has worked as yet.

Kelly



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[Kelly Sorensen]

Melissa,

Yes! That did the trick.

And the problem was a technical one; there were no "gatekeeper" items.

Thank you to all who responded!

Kelly

>Kelly,
>
>Can you use the NVALID function to create a sum of the total number of
>valid responses (overall and/or for 'variables of interest) per
>client--then set a cutoff level where they have to have at least X
>number valid to be included.
>For example:
>
>Compute vitalvld=nvalid(vitalvar1,vitalvar2,...vitalvarn).
>
>Melissa
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
>Kelly Sorensen
>Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:08 PM
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: [SPSSX-L] missing data
>
>I encountered a problem with a survey we administered and a number of
>respondents were "kicked off" the survey before they could answer any
>questions. I'd like to remove these cases from the dataset but the
>instructions asked respondents to leave cases blank where they felt an
>item did not apply to them. These cases I'd like to keep. There are too
>many cases to reliably remove cases manually, but I'm having trouble
>coming up with syntax to identify the cases where there are NO data for
>the variables of interest (though we do have background data). Summing
>the variables doesn't seem to work, but it SPSS doesn't add the cases
>with systems missing data.
>
>I'm working with SPSS 12.0. I've gotten some ideas from the archives,
>but nothing has worked as yet.
>
>Kelly
>
>
>
>PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
>This transmittal and any attachments may contain PRIVILEGED AND
>CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the
>addressee. If you are not the designated recipient, or an employee
>or agent authorized to deliver such transmittals to the designated
>recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
>copying or publication of this transmittal is strictly prohibited. If
>you have received this transmittal in error, please notify us
>immediately by replying to the sender and delete this copy from your
>system. You may also call us at [phone] for assistance.
>
>