Reclassify Fields

This Tech Tip shows how to reclassify fields 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. It has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop user interface and 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).  

Given the breadth of tasks needed to build models, intuitive data preparation tools are critical. The Reclassify node is an easy-to-use tool that allows users to create new fields that recode or reclassify existing fields. For example, we have a variable called ‘Risk’ with three categories. For clarity regarding model output, we want to reclassify this field into two categories, creating a new field called ‘Risk2Cat’.

We will go to the Field Operations palette and find the Reclassify node. Users can hover their cursor over this node to learn that it recategorizes set values. The node is connected to the stream, and the original field ‘Risk’ is selected. A new field name is typed into the New field name box. Users then press the Get button to obtain the original field values in the Original value column. Next to this is the New value column, where new categories are specified. Here, we recategorize the three original categories into two new categories. Users can then check the new field by clicking the Preview button.