How to Check for Errors in Data File Construction

This article describes how to use a built-in QScript to check your data file for common errors with the variables in your data set.

Requirements

A data file loaded in Q.

This script should be run immediately after importing a data file (i.e., prior to any data cleaning being undertaken in Q).

Method

To run the script, select Automate > Browse Online Library > Preliminary Project Setup > Check for Errors in Data File Construction.

The script generates a table of any issues found, along with a list of the names of the variables that have issues. Any questions whose variables have issues will be added to the report.

Specifically, this QScript does the following:

Checks to make sure the variable types appear sensible.
Checks if any Pick One - Multi questions should be set as Pick Any - Compact questions.
Checks for incorrect Missing Data settings in binary variables.
Checks for variables with blank labels.
Checks for Text variables storing multiple response data separated by commas.
Checks for the presence of a unique ID variable.
Checks for demographic variables with incomplete data.
Checks for variables containing only a single possible value.