Re: Advice on analyzing data

Posted by David Marso on May 10, 2012; 4:12pm
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Advice-on-analyzing-data-tp5700681p5700773.html

I would add:  Why did you bother to collect the data in the first place and what do you expect it to tell you?  Perhaps check your budget and see if it has allowances for statistical consulting.  This group is GREAT for addressing specific targeted questions but a shotgun 'what the f* do I do with my data' is probably best directed to a dedicated knowledgeable resource.  Data analysis is highly nuanced and to provide *ANY* specific advise without detailed knowledge of the design/variables/hypothesized relationships/a priori model/intentions is at best irresponsible IMNSHO.  If this somehow violates some nebulous NDA then you are likely SOL!
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Maguin, Eugene wrote

Allen,

I understand you are coming from a commercial entity and, therefore, may not be able to say very much, if anything, about the study design and measurement as it relates to your question. However, would it be possible to name and describe your key DV and describe the measurement frequency?

IF you haven't already, one thing that you should begin investigating are propensity score methods. Depending on things, you may be able to create a statistically equivalent comparison group.

Gene Maguin

From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Allen Frommelt
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:28 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Advice on analyzing data

I am looking for some advice on the best approach for analyzing our data in SPSS.  We are currently running version 19.  We have a group of 2,405 people who received an intervention and 5,702 people who did not receive the intervention (the groups were not randomly selected so we know we have bias in that area).  For each individual, we have up to 27 months of data from the period prior to the start of the intervention and 12 months of data post-intervention.   For most of the outcomes of interest, the data is highly skewed and not normally distributed.

Thanks,

Allen

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