Data Collection Export Node

The Data Collection export node saves data in the format used by Data Collection market research software, based on the Data Collection Data Model. This format distinguishes case data—the actual responses to questions gathered during a survey—from the metadata that describes how the case data is collected and organized. Metadata consists of information such as question texts, variable names and descriptions, multiple-response sets, translations of the various texts, and definitions of the structure of the case data. See the topic Data Collection Node for more information.

Metadata file. Specifies the name of the questionnaire definition file (.mdd) where the exported metadata will be saved. A default questionnaire is created based on field type information. For example, a nominal (set) field could be represented as a single question with the field description used as the question text and a separate check box for each defined value.

Merge metadata. Specifies whether the metadata will overwrite existing versions or be merged with existing metadata. If the merge option is selected, a new version is created each time the stream is run. This makes it possible to track versions of a questionnaire as it undergoes changes. Each version can be regarded as a snapshot of the metadata used to collect a particular set of case data.

Enable system variables. Specifies whether system variables are included in the exported .mdd file. These include variables such as Respondent.Serial, Respondent.Origin, and DataCollection.StartTime.

Case data settings. Specifies the IBM® SPSS® Statistics data (.sav) file where case data is exported. Note that all the restrictions on variable and value names apply here, so for example you may need to switch to the Filter tab and use the "Rename for IBM SPSS Statistics" option on the Filter options menu to correct invalid characters in field names.

Generate an import node for this data. Select this option to automatically generate a Data Collection source node that will read the exported data file.

Multiple response sets. Any multiple response sets defined in the stream will automatically be preserved when the file is exported. You can view and edit multiple response sets from any node with a Filter tab. See the topic Editing Multiple Response Sets for more information.