Computing a new variable within a dataset. This process is really handy for taki

Question

Computing a new variable within a dataset.  

This process is really handy for taking a list of questions that all measure one thing and creating a new variable to analyze. Looking at your data set above, name a variable that it would be handy to do this for. Explain why.

Width Decimals Values satisfaction with weight at age 18 1, Very Dissatisfied (1, very dissatisfied, unhappy most... None 1, very dissatisfied, unhappy most... None quality of life at age 18 how would spend $500,000 gift 1, invest it with brokerage firmNone choosing a winter vacation characterization of life as a whole 1, dull 1, not a source of satisfaction) (1, exactly the same) (1, I dont feel there's a purpose to i.. None (1, I feel extreme dislike for mysel. None expectations of every day 1, No clearly defined goals for my L.... None

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

Sometimes we may need to compute a new variable based on existing information (from other variables) in our data. For example, we may want to:

Convert the units of a variable from feet to meters

Use a subject's height and weight to compute their BMI

Compute a subscale score from items on a survey

Apply a computation conditionally, so that a new variable is only computed for cases where certain conditions are met

combine similar questions of survey that measure same thing into a combined variable

List of questions (variables) from the given database that all could measure one thing and creating a new variable (Indexes) to analyze certain trait may be grouped as follows:

SATISFACTION WITH OR QUALITY OF LIFE INDEX

marital-Marital Status (1-Never Married, 2-Married, 3-Divorcee, )

educ-education (years)

work-current work status

satcurwt-satisfaction with current weight

satwt18-satisfaction with wt at age 18

ipa-21 – satisfaction of present life

ipa-22 – respond positively in difficult situations

qolcur-quality of life in past month

qol18 - quality of life at age 18

QUALITY OF HEALTH INDEX

exercise - exercise

eat (eat 3 regular meals a day)

health- overall state of health

smoke-smoking history

depress-depressed state of mind

ipa-1 – energy level

ipa-5 – experiencing anxiety

ipa-7 – fearful

ipa-2 – reaction to pressure

ipa-15 – concentration during stress

HAPINESS INDEX

Gender (0-Male,1-Female)

Age (years)

gift-how spend gift $5L

winter-choosing a winter vacation

ipa-3 – chracterrization of life as a whole

ipa-8 – think deeply about life

ipa-6 – expectations of everyday

ipa-4 – daily activities

ipa-9 – productivity of life

ipa-11 – value of work

ipa-13 – defined goals for life

ipa-16 – standing up for myself

ipa-17 – adequate in most situations

ipa-20 – worthwhile life

ipa-28 – feeling loved

POLAFF-political affiliation

DISSATISFACTION WITH LIFE INDEX

ipa-10 – making mistakes

ipa-12 – wishing I was different

ipa-14 – worrying that bad things will happen

ipa-18 – furstration to problems

ipa-19 – sad things

ipa-25 – trapped by life

ipa-26 - panic in frightening situation

ipa-27 - thinking about past

ipa-29 – worry about future

ipa-30 – thinking about problems

These variables needs to be recoded / transformed and merged into single variable to simplify the analysis process and find the bird eye view of the real trends or traits in the data.

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