11
Tutorial: Getting Started with Amos Graphics
Specifying the Data File
The next step is to specify the file that contains the Hamilton data. This tutorial uses a
Microsoft Excel 8.0 (*.xls) file, but Amos supports several common database formats,
including SPSS Statistics *.sav files. If you launch Amos from the Add-ons menu in
SPSS Statistics, Amos automatically uses the file that is open in SPSS Statistics.
EFrom the menus, choose File > Data Files.
EIn the Data Files dialog box, click File Name.
EBrowse to the Tutorial folder. If you performed a typical installation, the path is
C:\Program Files\IBM\SPSS\Amos\21\Tutorial\<language>.
EIn the Files of type list, select Excel 8.0 (*.xls).
ESelect Hamilton.xls, and then click Open.
EIn the Data Files dialog box, click OK.
Specifying the Model and Drawing Variables
The next step is to draw the variables in your model. First, you’ll draw three rectangles
to represent the observed variables, and then you’ll draw an ellipse to represent the
unobserved variable.
EFrom the menus, choose Diagram > Draw Observed.
EIn the drawing area, move your mouse pointer to where you want the Education
rectangle to appear. Click and drag to draw the rectangle. Don’t worry about the exact
size or placement of the rectangle because you can change it later.
EUse the same method to draw two more rectangles for Income and SAT.
EFrom the menus, choose Diagram > Draw Unobserved.