This guide assists you in efficiently uploading multiple waves of data, a crucial step in conducting comprehensive trending data analysis.
Step-by-step process:
Prepare your data: Ensure that each dataset is formatted correctly and is compatible with DataTile's requirements.
We recommend the SPSS file format for the best experience in uploading new waves. DataTile automatically matches and merges new data into existing databases and updates all deliverables like dashboards and reports.
Note, that categories and category codes must remain consistent across all data waves. While DataTile employs case-insensitive variable matching, ensuring that variable names like 'tom,' 'Tom,' and 'TOM' are treated as identical.
We advise creating a category code table, and expanding it with new codes whenever a new brand is added to the survey. Even if a category is removed from monitoring, it is best to not delete its corresponding code from the table to prevent false matches.
Uploading to DataTile: Log into your DataTile account, go to the Meta-Editor, then select the Data tab.
Add option: Select this option when adding a new, standalone data wave (typically the latest), that you want to append to your existing dataset without altering or replacing any of the previously uploaded information.Replace option: This option should be used when you are uploading a whole file that contains both old and new waves of data. When replacing your data, the structure and any customizations you’ve made in the Meta-Editor remain intact.
a. Overwrite variable labels: Variable labels are typically used to provide descriptive names or explanations for each variable in your dataset. If the new data file contains updated or different variable labels for any of the variables, enabling this option will ensure that these new labels replace the old ones.
b. Overwrite category labels: Category labels are often used in datasets with categorical variables to define and describe the various categories or response options. If the new data file contains updated or different category labels for any categorical variables, enabling this option will ensure that the new category labels overwrite the existing ones.Ready to merge or Handle conflicts: Once you have uploaded your new file, you may be presented with either of the following two windows: Ready to merge OR Unresolved.
The ‘Unresolved’ screen indicates that there are discrepancies between the new data being uploaded and the existing data structure, such as missing variables or categories that were in the previous files but are absent in the new. It’s useful to check through this list before clicking ‘Approve’.
Click here for a more comprehensive outline on how you should format your data in SPSS for tracking studies.