Comparing Means in IBM SPSS Modeler

To improve your experience using IBM SPSS Modeler, the Version 1 SPSS experts have created various Tech Tips. This Tech Tip shows how to compare means in IBM SPSS Modeler.

IBM SPSS Modeler is an extensive predictive analytics platform designed to bring predictive intelligence to decisions made by individuals, groups, systems, and the enterprise. IBM SPSS Modeler has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop user interface with a complete set of tools for accessing data, data examination, preparation, modelling, evaluation, and deployment.

IBM SPSS Modeler users have a complete toolset to build predictive models from start to finish. Modeler uses node-based, visual programming. Users pick nodes from palettes and place them on the stream canvas. Once nodes have been placed on the stream canvas and edited, they can be linked to form a stream. A stream represents a flow of data through several operations (nodes) to a destination that can be in the form of output (either text or chart), a model, or the export of data to another format (e.g., a database).

Part of the model-building process involves testing variable relationships. IBM SPSS Modeler provides the Statistics, Matrix and Means node to examine variable relationships. The Means node makes this quick and easy. The Means node is located on the Output palette.

To obtain a comparison of means, go to the Output palette. Select the Means node and drag it onto the stream canvas. You can also double-click the node to drop it onto the stream canvas. Once it is on the canvas, you can connect it to your stream. Double-click to open the node. Use the field chooser button to select the grouping field. The test field(s) selection includes the numeric field(s). Click Run. The output shows averages across categories of the grouping field. The Importance column indicates that there are significant statistical differences across categories.