FAQs - Data
How can I increase font sizes used by the program when entering data?
Fonts used for the “Input Data” display are automatically matched to those set for your computer (from the Control Panel, select [Display] [Appearance]). If you wish to alter the size of the “Question” text you should modify the Control Panel “message text” font; if you wish to alter the size of the “response“ text you should modify the Control Panel “menu” font.
When I have finished a project, which files should I back off onto removable media?
The Question Definitions file (QDF), the data file (ASC or CBA) and the Table Definitions file (QTF). If you have used “respondent weighting” in your analysis you should also keep the Weighting Targets file (WGT), and if you have created a specialised Command Language set-up file, you should also back off the CL Set-up Script file (STP). All other files can be re-created by QPSMR.
My data processing bureau does not use QPSMR, what type of data file should they send to me?
TIP: The Input program is available for distribution to in house data entry staff, home workers and to other companies who provide a data capture service. Copies of QPSMR Input can be downloaded free of charge.
Data from a variety of other programs may be analysed with QPSMR. Many types of data file may be used directly with QPSMR, but others may need modification before they can be processed.
The best format is normally Triple S (SSS) as your questionnaire will be created automatically by the import (from the “Project” window select [File] [Import a file] [SSS import]).
Most types of column binary data file can be used with QPSMR, although they will need to be “copied and converted” into a CBA file using the [Data] [Convert raw data] selection before use.
Both types of ASCII data can be used with QPSMR, fixed format (where the file is held in blocks of 80 columns) and flat ASCII (data locations begin at 1 and continue until the record is complete).
Another type of data file which is commonly used with QPSMR is a Comma Separated Values file (CSV) usually output from spreadsheet or database programs. To import a CSV data file select [File] [Import a file] [Import CSV] from the “Project” window, alternatively, use the data hand over facilities to import the information.
When I open a data file in QPSMR, I see a screen which lists a number of duplicate cards and duplicate serial numbers – what do I do?
If ever you see a message which refers to duplicate card or duplicate serial numbers, it is very important not to ignore it, because the program suspects that there may be something wrong with your data!
If you see this message and you are SURE that NO duplicate questionnaires are present in the data file, it is possible to use the [Sort and compact] facility to remove the “duplicates” from the file.
However, as the menu system will include only the “last mention” of any duplicated serial number when you view your data file, we recommend that you:
- take a note of the duplicate serial numbers from the “View” screen message.
- use the [Change serial] facility to allocate a new unique serial number to the “last mentioned” duplicate serial number, which you can access by updating the appropriate serial number.
- exit the “Data” window and open the data file again, unless the serial number has been duplicated more than once, it will no longer appear in the “View” window message.
- update the original serial number followed by the “last mentioned” serial (to which you allocated a new unique number) and establish if there is a duplicated record. If the records are identical, you can then delete one of the questionnaires.