Introduction to SPSS
7. Part V: Modifying your data
7.1. Compute a new variable
First, let’s compute a new variable, BMI, from weight and height [Note: BMI = weight/height2]:
1. Compute a new variable, heightm (height in metres)
compute heightm=height/100.
execute.
2. We should check our newly created variable heightm – how should we do this?
3. Compute another new variable, BMI:
compute bmi=weight/height**2.
execute.
[Note: exponentiations are denoted as ** in SPSS]
4. Check your new variable, BMI – how ??