Thanks, this is very knowledgeable… I’m actually facing some crisis analyzing datasets with STATA, would really appreciate if any help could be granted
Hi Ali, When you start the program, Stata has a default directory where it expects to find all of your data and program files. Also, this will be the location that Stata writes files like when you save a data or program file. On a Windows computer, it might be something like "C:\Users\Stata\documents". As long as you always keep all of your Stata files from every project in this directory Stata should be able to use those files without you changing the directory. Eventually, this will probably lead to problems where you are confused by all the files you have and you would have difficulty finding specific files for specific projects. So, most people organize their Stata files in different directories or folders. You might have a folder for a class you are taking, and a folder for your dissertation, and a folder for a research project for publication. I have separate folders for every topic I teach in my statistics classes. Using a well-thought our directory or folder structure adds organization to the messiness of managing hundreds of files. For example, files might be organized as follows: "C:\Users\Stata\documents\class" "C:\Users\Stata\documents\dissertation" "C:\Users\Stata\documents\publication1" . . . etc. So, if you keep your files in any directory other then the default Stata directory, Stata will be unable to find your files until you change the default directory to point Stata to the place where those files are stored. The first Stata command in just about all of my programs is the command to change the default directory to point to that program's required files.
Alan thanks. Your videos are very helpful. But what if I want to use the numeric label instead of variable label? Simply because my variable names are too long and I need to recode them anyways.
Sunga, I don't understand your question. variable labels and value labels are two very different things in Stata and you seem to be referring to them as if they are the same. In the command window type "help label" to read about the difference. That might help you formulate your question. Also, if you can demonstrate your problem using a commonly available Stata dataset (e.g. auto.dta), it would be easier to help you. Sincerely, Alan
My apologies for the delayed reply Alan. I was referring to the category labels. I understand stata assigns a numeric id that you can view if you go to the data editor and click on the category name. I figured out that i can get stata to use this numeric category rather than the name by using "numlabel add command".
I think you may be confused by the difference between the values of numeric variables and any attached value labels. Maybe you will find the following example helpful: clear * /* Make a small dataset to play with */ input byte marital 1 2 3 4 5 end /* Show variable characteristics without value labels */ list, clean tab marital /* Add variable labels */ label define marlabel 1 "married" 2 "widowed" 3 "separated" 4 "divorced" 5 "never married" label values marital marlabel /* Show variable characteristics with value labels */ list, clean tab marital tab marital, nolabel /* Use -numlabel- to add a numeric prefix to the label */ numlabel marlabel, add tab marital tab marital, nolabel
If someone is looking for videos to learn basics ,it is the best for beginners
Thank you so much for making these videos!
Thanks, this is very knowledgeable… I’m actually facing some crisis analyzing datasets with STATA, would really appreciate if any help could be granted
really useful! thank you
Thank you!
Thanks Alan for your support and other freinds in this vedios so that i want to analysis with data so any help vedeos
Thank you a lot. Very useful :)
I'm glad you found the video helpful.
9:39 Understanding stata syntax from help file (example)
Thanks...very helpful
coby asante Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you fond this video useful!
Very interesting
thank you so much
really helpful but i just want know why we need to change the directory
Hi Ali,
When you start the program, Stata has a default directory where it expects to find all of your data and program files. Also, this will be the location that Stata writes files like when you save a data or program file. On a Windows computer, it might be something like "C:\Users\Stata\documents". As long as you always keep all of your Stata files from every project in this directory Stata should be able to use those files without you changing the directory.
Eventually, this will probably lead to problems where you are confused by all the files you have and you would have difficulty finding specific files for specific projects.
So, most people organize their Stata files in different directories or folders. You might have a folder for a class you are taking, and a folder for your dissertation, and a folder for a research project for publication. I have separate folders for every topic I teach in my statistics classes. Using a well-thought our directory or folder structure adds organization to the messiness of managing hundreds of files.
For example, files might be organized as follows:
"C:\Users\Stata\documents\class"
"C:\Users\Stata\documents\dissertation"
"C:\Users\Stata\documents\publication1"
.
.
.
etc.
So, if you keep your files in any directory other then the default Stata directory, Stata will be unable to find your files until you change the default directory to point Stata to the place where those files are stored.
The first Stata command in just about all of my programs is the command to change the default directory to point to that program's required files.
Alan thanks. Your videos are very helpful. But what if I want to use the numeric label instead of variable label? Simply because my variable names are too long and I need to recode them anyways.
Sunga, I don't understand your question. variable labels and value labels are two very different things in Stata and you seem to be referring to them as if they are the same. In the command window type "help label" to read about the difference. That might help you formulate your question. Also, if you can demonstrate your problem using a commonly available Stata dataset (e.g. auto.dta), it would be easier to help you.
Sincerely,
Alan
My apologies for the delayed reply Alan. I was referring to the category labels. I understand stata assigns a numeric id that you can view if you go to the data editor and click on the category name. I figured out that i can get stata to use this numeric category rather than the name by using "numlabel add command".
I think you may be confused by the difference between the values of numeric variables and any attached value labels. Maybe you will find the following example helpful:
clear *
/* Make a small dataset to play with */
input byte marital
1
2
3
4
5
end
/* Show variable characteristics without value labels */
list, clean
tab marital
/* Add variable labels */
label define marlabel 1 "married" 2 "widowed" 3 "separated" 4 "divorced" 5 "never married"
label values marital marlabel
/* Show variable characteristics with value labels */
list, clean
tab marital
tab marital, nolabel
/* Use -numlabel- to add a numeric prefix to the label */
numlabel marlabel, add
tab marital
tab marital, nolabel
Yes this is what I was talking about. This is very helpful thank you Alan.
18:40 'summarize' command results
started following. how can i get access to your data used? Thanks.
Mostly, I use the General Social Survey for examples which can be downloaded from gss.norc.org/
Can i Get the Data File
If you are affiliated with a college or university with access to the ICPSR archive you can get the data at www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/