Creating a new variable by combining two categorial variables

Posted by Mary McIntosh on May 04, 2014; 2:41am
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Creating-a-new-variable-by-combining-two-categorial-variables-tp5725785.html

I am new to this and have a question

I need to combine two categorical variables in SPSS to one categorical variable

IEP or not where has an IEP is defined as 1 and not have an IEP is 2

504 plan or not where has 504 plan is defined as 1 and not have 504 plan is 2

For my analysis I want to create a new variable:  special education  SPECED 

this would be if student had either an IEP or 504 defined as 1 and not have either an IEP or 504 defined as 2 

(note a student does not have both-- an IEP is a type of support for a more serious learning disabiilty, a 504 plan for less serious;  in the school system they have one or the other if it is needed.  They have neither if it is not needed

SO, how do I go about creatiing this new variable?

Thank you for your time

Mary