This trick is the easiest way to manage a data set with a huge number of
variables, when you want to keep all of the variables, but you don't need to see
all of the variables.
This is a data set from a dissertation. Like many data sets, this one used
several different surveys, or scales, to measure the participants. For example,
this set of variables beginning with "PQ" were about compassion fatigue. and these
variables with the "JSS" were from the Job Satisfaction Survey. After data cleaning
we combined multiple scale items into sub scales that became their own
variables. For example, scores from 10 individual items would be added together
to create a sub scale for "Level of Compassion Satisfaction" called tCS.
And this is the "JSStotal" score. Of course, now that I have created all of the total
subscales, I really do not need the individual items any longer. But I don't
want to delete them, I just want to hide them, to reduce the clutter, and so that I
will only see the total scores. In order to manage this huge data set, I am going
to create a Variable Set. Rather than creating a new data set, Variable Sets
allow you to choose only the variables that you want to appear in your data set.
You still keep the original items, but you hide them so that they do not
clutter your data.
For this example we will use a drop-down menu that perhaps you have not used
before. Go to Utilities -> Define Variable Sets. I am going to right click so that I
can see the variable names. Now move in only the variables that you want to see
in your variable set. I want only the random ID, the demographics, and the
variables that I will use for my final analysis, or specifically the subscales
for the totals that I created. Name this variable set "Subscales only" and then
click "Add Set" and Close. Now go to Utilities -> Use Variable Sets. To clear all
of the variables, click on "Uncheck All", and then we will select only our new
variable set: Subscales Only. And click OK. Only our selected variables appear, which
cleans up the data set, but the original variables are still in the file, nicely
hidden away. If you want to see all of the variables again go to Utilities -> Show All Variables
You are not limited to one variable set. You could define multiple
variable sets, each for specific steps of the analysis, if you prefer.