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 How to convert multiple-choice answers into numerical data for statistical correlations?

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Erwin Nanasi's profile image
Erwin Nanasi posted Fri March 14, 2025 12:08 PM

Hi all! I am new to SPSS and am currently using the trial software. From what I gather, this is the right software that can do what I hope to accomplish. However, I have never used SPSS and am not sure how to go about it. I conducted a survey with 28 questions which was responded to by over 250+ participants. The data is complete and I would like to take a deeper look at the results, not merely for each question separately, but look for correlations between several of the questions. However, many of the responses are in a likert-scale format. I understand that this would need to be converted to be effective. Can someone guide me in how to convert all answers numerically in my document so I can actually tap into the strengths of SPSS? I appreciate it so much, thank you!! 

Jon Peck's profile image
Jon Peck IBM Champion

It appears that your answers are coded as alphabetic and have multiple responses in a single answer.  This is not a good format for such data.  The answers would usually be recoded on a numerical scale with multiple variables and then define as multiple response sets.  Since you have some multi-word answers, it will be difficult to split them into separate answers.  Is there any way to get them in a different format?  If you can isolate answers into separate variables, then youj can use Recode into Different Variables and then use nonparametric correlation types, frequencies, and crosstabs for analysis.