How to create a complex samples analysis plan for the NSCAW

datasets, using SPSS

Based on SPSS version 24

This document is intended to assist NSCAW data users with setting up a complex samples analysis (CSA)

plan. The CSA plan is dependent upon the waves of data being used in the analysis, therefore, it is likely

that you will need to create multiple CSA plans. Guidelines for the appropriate application of the NSCAW

weights are found in Chapter 8 of the Data File User’s Manual (DFUM) and in the Statistical Analysis

Manual. Both documents are included in the dataset package.

Proceed to page 2 of these instructions.

1

The “Welcome to the Analysis Preparation Wizard” window will open (See Figure 1). Click the

“Browse…” button to create a name for the analysis plan you are about to create.

2

The next window that will appear is called “Save Data As.” This is when you will choose where you

would like to save the plan and under what name. We suggest naming your file based on the weight

variable used (i.e., NANALWT, NANALWT34, etc.). Once you are finished click the “Save” button located

near the bottom right side of the window (See Figure 2.)

3

Once you return to the “Welcome to the Analysis Preparation Wizard” window, click the “Next” button

along the bottom of the window (see Figure 3.)

4

The next window to appear is called “Stage 1: Design Variables.” Make the following selections

described below and as shown in Figure 4:

Select and click the “STRATUM” variable from the Variables box into the Strata field using the arrow

button located between the two lists

Select and click the appropriate weight variable. For a Wave 1 based analyses, it would be “NANALWT”

(National weight) or “SANALWT”(State weight—only available in NSCAW I and NOT in NSCAW II) variable

from the Variables box into the Sample Weight box. NSCAW I data users should consult the Data File

User’s Manual’s (DFUM) exhibit 8-9 titled “Guidelines for Choosing the Correct Analysis Weight for

Analyzing NSCAW Data” before selecting which weight variable to place into the “Sample Weight” field.

Click the “Next” button located along the bottom of the window.

5

The next window to appear will be called “Stage 1: Estimation Method” (see Figure 5.). Leave the

default selection at “WR (sampling with replacement)” and “Use finite population correction (FPC) when

estimating variance under simple random sampling assumption” checked and then click the “Next”

button along the bottom of the window.

6

The next window to appear is the “Stage 1: Plan Summary information” (see Figure 6.). After reviewing

the plan summary information, click the “Next” button along the bottom of the window.

7

The next window to appear is called the “Completing the Analysis Wizard” (See Figure 7.) In that screen,

select “Save your specifications to a plan file” and click the “Finish” button along the bottom of the

window.

8

Below is an example of the syntax that would be displayed based on the example in this document

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