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Reverse Scoring in SPSS

Hello:

Not sure if this forum has many SPSS supporters... yet, I'll give it a try.

For a survey (to be released in the near future), I plan on conducting the analysis via SPSS.

Questions will use 7-point Likert scales (Strongly Disagree / Strongly Agree) via drop-down menus.

Now, some questions are formed around a "benefit" factor while others address "cost scenarios".

As you know, a "Strongly Agree" for both a benefit-related question and cost-related question will receive a score of 7. That's fine... however, I need to somehow reverse the scoring for the cost-related question(s) so that a "7" will be converted into a "1/7" (and a "1" should be multiplied by 7). This is required in order to measure "good things" on an equal scale.

Now, maybe I could copy/paste an SPSS column in Excel and do the conversion there. Then copy/paste the updated values back into SPSS.

In the end, however, there's room for error in this approach and I'm wondering if SPSS has a build-in function/setting that can account for the reverse scoring.

If yes, please let me know where/how to set it up?

Thanks,
EEH

SOLUTION

Enabbar Ocap

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RobinD:

Come to think about it... you're absolutely right.
x = 1 = 8 - x = 8 - 1 = 7
x = 2 = 8 - x = 8 - 2 = 6
x = 3 = 8 - x = 8 - 3 = 5
x = 4 = 8 - x = 8 - 4 = 4
x = 5 = 8 - x = 8 - 5 = 3
x = 6 = 8 - x = 8 - 6 = 2
x = 7 = 8 - x = 8 - 7 = 1

Thus 1 becomes 7, ..., ..., and 7 becomes 1... great!

Now, do you know how this can be done within SPSS (vs. exporting/re-importing in/from another program)?

Thanks,
EEH

Enabbar Ocap

I'm sorry I have no knowledge of that, but I hope I helped with the algorithm.

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richdiesal

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richdiesal:

Thanks... I searched for the SPSS group... 'didn't see it. I'll look again for potential next posts.

And thank you for your answer in response to my question. I haven't completed the process yet but thanks to your guidance should have no trouble (I believe) to complete it.

Very much appreciated.

EEH

P.S. Given that both posts are valuable, I'll accept yours and Robin's solution. I hope you're ok w/ that.

richdiesal

It's not very active, so it's easy to miss: https://www.experts-exchange.com/Database/Data_Manipulation/SPSS/

Most people post SPSS questions elsewhere, which pretty much prevents it from becoming active too! :)

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richdiesal:

Thanks... I'll the forum in mind for next questions.

Btw, I've the the transformation data values in a test data set. It worked like a charm. Thanks for sharing the process w/ me. ;)

EEH

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Oh... may I ask one more question?

I'm sure you're familiar w/ Cronbach's Alpha. If so, do you recommend computing it BEFORE or AFTER data transformation? Does it make a difference?

Thanks,
EEH