Select Records 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 select records 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. 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). 

Selecting records is used throughout the predictive modelling process. The Select node makes selecting cases quick and easy and is located on the Record Ops palette. 

To select records in IBM SPSS Modeler, go to the Record Ops palette. Select the Select 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. Once the node is open, you can select cases by clicking on the calculator icon – this is the expression builder. 

Once you click on the Expression builder, you can make your selection. For example, if we want to select customers aged 50 and over, click ‘AGE’ and the yellow arrow. This will move ‘AGE’ into the Expression Builder. Now Select >= and type ’50’. Now, you will have the necessary expression to select this group of customers. Once you click OK, your data will contain only customers 50 and older. You can click on the Preview button on the Select node to view your data. Note the Select node works in two ways. You can set a condition that will Include or Discard cases.