Looking for Relationships in Data 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 highlights looking for relationships in data in 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. 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).  

Examining relationships between variables helps review data, answer specific hypotheses, and determine fields useful for modelling. Several tools in Modeler assist with the examination of relationships between variables. These tools are located on the Graphs and Output palettes.  

The Matrix node runs crosstabs and provides a statistical test of association. The Web plot shows the strength of relationships between values of two or more symbolic fields. The Means node allows for a comparison of means across independent groups. The Histogram node will enable users to examine the distribution of scale fields. The Statistic node allows users to review statistics for multiple fields. Users can see count, mean, sum, minimum, maximum, range, variance, standard deviation, standard error of the mean, median and mode. Users can also run correlations between fields. The Plot node displays the relationship between numeric fields. Users can create scatter or line plots.