Survey databases

We can supply databases of survey responses from a study.  We would need to understand your requirements for (1) database format and (2) file transfer.

Let us know in advance what you would like, and we can rehearse!

(1) Database format

We normally keep our data sets as SPSS system files, which are compact and nicely labelled.

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SPSS files can be used by commercial software like SPSS and SAS but also by free software used in the academic community like R; you might also consider PSPP.

Excel is probably the most common file format we are asked for, but Excel is not so good at holding labels (unless there is some trick I don't know about).

We can supply a bulky file for Excel or other spreadsheet software with all the labels written out in full:

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Or a compact spreadsheet with just numbers in:

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which can be used alongside a list of coded values:

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Encryption

The file(s) may be sent as-is or encrypted/passworded.  The passwords that can be added to Microsoft Excel files are, or used to be, trivially easy to get past. We can add a password of AES-256 standard, but you must have, or be able to install, software capable of decryption at your end.  We have found 7-Zip a suitable and free package.  Alternatively, I can send you a self-extracting file with a password, but downloading executable files may also be blocked by your IT security (for perfectly understandable reasons!).

(2) Database transfer

Depending on your security policies and protocols, one of the following routes may be suitable:

  • Email (possible problems: email not regarded as sufficiently secure, zipped files blocked by your IT security systems)
  • Secure Email (possible problems: your use of our system not allowed, my use of your system not allowed, zipped files blocked by your IT security systems)
  • Download (possible problems: not regarded as sufficiently secure, zipped files blocked by your IT security systems)
  • Posted signed-for delivery of CD or memory stick.

 

Topics: 
research
surveys