Re: EpiData-list Digest, Vol 55, Issue 11 - EpiData-list

11 Jun 2008

      Thanks for your response.  I realize the questions are rather basic, but I had
perused many of the help and intro files, without finding anything that
specifically addressing syntax.  Perhaps the intro file for beginner users
could be made more user friendly with an additional paragraph in bold under the
section:   Value label: For categorical data this defines the meaning of
the values. E.g. 1=man 2=women. The values are
edited via the + . The drop-down list lets you pick an
existing label definition.
ACCEPTABLE SYNTAX with all the rules spelled out, such as when quotes are
necessary etc.
Susan
Quoting epidata-list-request@lists.umanitoba.ca:
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___________________________________
Today's Topics:

value labels error message (epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca)
legal use? (epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca)
combined numeric text variable (epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca)
Re: combined numeric text variable
(epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca)
Re: legal use? (epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca)
Re: value labels error message (epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca)

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 14:26:56 -0400
From: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Subject: [EpiData-list] value labels error message
To: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Message-ID: 1210789616.482b2ef0e2844@webmail.med.yale.edu
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
When I try to enter a string under value label  LABEL Label_hablaespan
  1 espanol
  2 mayormente espanol
  3 espanol e ingles igual
  4 mayormente ingles
  5 ingles solamente
END
It says Missing label for one or more accepted values.  I have tried
entering
legal values 1-5 and/or omitting values, but I still get this message, which
I
dont know how to correct.
Susan Caplan

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 14:30:04 -0400
From: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Subject: [EpiData-list] legal use?
To: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Message-ID: 1210789804.482b2facb3c80@webmail.med.yale.edu
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Message recieved:
The check file C:\Documents and Settings\Susan Caplan\My Documents\database
diss\databaseimmigrant.chk contains the following errors:
Value is not compatible with this field type in line 33:
  COMMENT LEGAL USE label_dm2
Value is not compatible with this field type in line 46:
  COMMENT LEGAL USE label_dm4
LABELBLOCK
  LABEL label_dm2
    lang  pref
    1.  Spanish
    2.  English
  END
  LABEL label_dm4
    1.  nuevo
    2.  previa
  END

What is wrong with the field types in the above variables?
The above message continues repeating and I am not allowed to edit/revise

checks, but must clear all checks to get back into check dialogue
Susan

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 14:30:55 -0400
From: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Subject: [EpiData-list] combined numeric text variable
To: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Message-ID: 1210789855.482b2fdfe2bd4@webmail.med.yale.edu
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I want to create a variable that is numeric ## and text
___________________________ for a fill in response such as other.  However,
a
combination of text and numeric within the same variable creates two
variables.
For statistical purposes I dont want to opt for text only.  Suggestions?
Susan Caplan, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Yale University
PhD Student in Nursing

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 21:44:22 -0400
From: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Subject: Re: [EpiData-list] combined numeric text variable
To: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Message-ID: 482B9576.9040305@sympatico.ca
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
Susan - glad to see you are using EpiData. I think you just need to look
at some of the sample files to get over the initial step of learning
some of the syntax.
You cannot create a variable of mixed type (##____________). This will
always create two variables and this is how you need to set up your
file. Although programs like Access will let you create patterns for
data entry, they will not let you create mixed type variables. You will
find that EpiData has huge advantages.
I suggest you just set up your data entry line as follows
somevar ##__________________________
EpiData creates two fields (variables), named "somevar" and "somevar01"

may vary depending on your settings. This is actually exactly what you

want. You can then set a range or legal values on the ## field to be
sure the entry is correct. If you need to combine them into one at some
point, this is very easy in EpiData or any other software.
In your other postings, there are a couple of things to watch out for -
these are explained in the short introduction file.

In the check file, text that has any spaces or other special

characters must be put into regular quotes
3 "espanol e ingles igual"

If your entry field is ##, do not use decimal points in the range or

legal values
LABEL label_dm2
    lang  pref
    1 Spanish
    2 English
  END
While a number of us will be glad to offer help as you get started, I
encourage you to look at examples, at the list serv archives and at all
of the help files for guidance.
Jamie
...
I want to create a variable that is numeric ## and text
___________________________ for a fill in response such as other.
However, a
...
combination of text and numeric within the same variable creates two
variables.
...
For statistical purposes I dont want to opt for text only.  Suggestions?
Susan Caplan, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Yale University
PhD Student in Nursing

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 11:12:57 +0200
From: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Subject: Re: [EpiData-list] legal use?
To: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Message-ID: 482BFE99.9010100@univ-angers.fr
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

The line.
lang  pref

should be marked as a comment with a * sign at the begin of the line

the dot after the numbers should be removed.

check file :
LABELBLOCK
    LABEL label_dm2
       1 Spanish
       2 English
    END
    LABEL label_dm4
       1 nuevo
       2 previa
    END
END
The type of dm2 and dm4 must be integer of size 1 (#)
...
Message recieved:
The check file C:\Documents and Settings\Susan Caplan\My Documents\database
diss\databaseimmigrant.chk contains the following errors:
Value is not compatible with this field type in line 33:
  COMMENT LEGAL USE label_dm2
Value is not compatible with this field type in line 46:
  COMMENT LEGAL USE label_dm4
LABELBLOCK
  LABEL label_dm2
    lang  pref
    1.  Spanish
    2.  English
  END
  LABEL label_dm4
    1.  nuevo
    2.  previa
  END

What is wrong with the field types in the above variables?
The above message continues repeating and I am not allowed to

edit/revise
...
checks, but must clear all checks to get back into check dialogue
Susan
_______________________________________________
EpiData-list mailing list
EpiData-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list
--
Jean-Marie Chrétien
CHU  d'Angers - Centre de Recherche Clinique
4 rue Larrey 49933 ANGERS Cedex 9
Tel : 02.41.35.59.76
Fax : 02.41.35.59.68

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 11:03:14 +0200
From: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Subject: Re: [EpiData-list] value labels error message
To: epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
Message-ID: 482BFC52.6010508@univ-angers.fr
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
Dear Susan,
You must enclose your labels with double quotes when they contains spaces:
2 "mayormente espanol"
...
Jean-Marie Chrétien
...
When I try to enter a string under value label  LABEL Label_hablaespan
  1 espanol
  2 mayormente espanol
  3 espanol e ingles igual
  4 mayormente ingles
  5 ingles solamente
END
It says Missing label for one or more accepted values.  I have tried
entering
...
legal values 1-5 and/or omitting values, but I still get this message,
which I
...
dont know how to correct.
Susan Caplan
_______________________________________________
EpiData-list mailing list
EpiData-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list
--
Jean-Marie Chrétien
CHU  d'Angers - Centre de Recherche Clinique
4 rue Larrey 49933 ANGERS Cedex 9
Tel : 02.41.35.59.76
Fax : 02.41.35.59.68

EpiData-list@lists.umanitoba.ca
http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list
End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 55, Issue 11

Susan Caplan, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Yale University
PhD Student in Nursing