I'm trying to merge two datasets from a survey conducted at two different years. The key variable I'm using is FoodGroup. The issue is that diet coders spelled the Food Groups differently in each year. In dataset 1, there is low fat milk, while in dataset2 there is reduced fat milk. Is there a way to run an approximate match prior to correcting these issues manually?
You can pre-adjust the 2 data sets for the level of fat milk.
best regards
Martino
Assuming both datasets are open and have been named (via DATASET NAME command) D1 and D2, you could do something like this:
DATASET ACTIVATE D2.
RENAME VARIABLES (KeyVariable = OldKey).
STRING KeyVariable (A25). /* Make string longer if necessary for your data.
RECODE OldKey
("reduced fat milk" = "low fat milk)'
(else = COPY) into KeyVariable.
EXECUTE.
* Make sure both D1 and D2 are sorted on key variables.
* Then merge the files via MATCH FILES.
HTH.
Thanks. The issue I'm having is that there are around 7000 codes that need rewriting, hence why it would have been useful to find nearest match before writing an automated command
You might want to post your question to the SPSSX-L mailing list (also available as a Nabble archive -- see link below). The regulars include many experienced SPSS users. Maybe one of them will have a bright idea about now to tackle this.
http://spssx-discussion.1045642.n5.nabble.com/
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Statistics
- Statistical Software
- SPSS