Deriving Attributes

In IBM® SPSS® Modeler, you can use the following Field Operations nodes to derive new attributes:

• Create new fields derived from existing ones using a Derive node.
• Create a flag field using a Set to Flag node.

Task List

• Consider the data requirements for modeling when deriving attributes. Does the modeling algorithm expect a particular type of data, such as numeric? If so, perform the necessary transformations.
• Do the data need be normalized before modeling?
• Can missing attributes be constructed using aggregation, averaging, or induction?
• Based upon your background knowledge, are there important facts (such as length of time spent at the Web site) that can be derived from existing fields?