u08d1 Split Variables

Variables used to split a file usually have certain characteristics. Describe these characteristics, and give an example
of a variable not discussed in the unit that might be used as a split variable. Also, explain why it would not usually
make sense to use test scores or ID numbers as a split variable.

Response Guidelines
Reflect on the examples of split variables provided by two other learners. Describe why you think the variables would
or would not be useful as split variables.

Resources

Attributes and Evaluation of Discussion Contributions.

Professional Communications and Writing Guide.

Variables that are used with the SPLIT FILE function are typically categorical variables (SPSS
Incorporated, 2009). Generally speaking, a researcher can measure a variable in two ways:
quantitatively or qualitatively. Quantitative variables are generally continuous variables that
represent any value within established limits of the variable ranges. Examples of continuous
variables are temperature, age, height, weight, time, etc.

Qualitative variables are generally categorical variables, non metric (nominal or ordinal) and
measure distinctions in quality and type. Categorical variables used with the SPLIT FILE
function represent mutually exclusive groups of quantitative variables. Some examples of
categorical variables not mentioned in this unit might be race, geographic regions, color, etc.

Test scores and ID numbers represent continuous variables that cannot provide comparative
qualitative analysis using the SPLIT FILE function. However, test scores can be sorted based
upon a statistical analysis such as standard deviations and mean, and a comparative analysis
based upon a categorical variable such as ethnicity can then be executed using the SPLIT FILE
function for qualitative analysis. Kulas (2009) points out that the SPLIT FILE function is a lightswitch command that must be turned off or SPSS will continue to produce a categorical output
file based upon the SPLIT FILE variable.

Anthony Rhodes
General Psychology Ph.D

References

Kulas, J. T. (2009). SPSS essentials: Managing and analyzing social sciences data. San
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN: 9780470226179.
SPSS Incorporated. (2009). PASW Statistics Graduate Pack (Version 18.0 for Win or MacOS,
formerly SPSS) [Computer software]. Chicago, IL: Author

a variable that can take on any value within the limits the variable ranges. For example, age and
temperature are continuous variables. A variable that has a continuous distribution function,
such as temperature Whenever we measure a variable, it could be a measurement (quantitative)

difference a
categorical (qualitative) difference. You should know both terms for each type.
Measurement variables are things to which we can assign a number. It is something we
can measure. Examples include age, height, weight, time measurement, or number of
children in a household. These examples are also called quantitative because they
measure some quantity. Categorical variables are measures of differences in type rather
than amount. Examples include anything categorize such as race, gender, or color.
These are also called qualitative variables because there is some quality that distinguishes
these objects. A variable that is based on non-metric data (ie data that cannot be analysed
statistically such as that from a nominal or ordinal scale).