Analysis - Custom Calculation
Custom calculation provides the ability to design computations you may need that extend
beyond the most common reporting figures. You can either calculate static numbers (such as
3+4=7), or you can find the ratio between two weighted-score questions. In order to
get information from your response question, you must first choose the question you want and the type of data you
want to take from that question. You have the following options available to you:
Select questions:
This option allows you to select the question(s) to make calculations on.
Function
- CASES - gives you the number of cases in the database that have data for the
selected question. For example, to find out the number of cases for a multiple choice
question, just select the question and choose the CASES option then click
Add and then click Finish. Now place the number on the report page.
- SUM - gives the sum total for a question that has a numeric response. This means
this option is only valid for write in number questions or weighted score questions.
- AVG - gives the average for a question that has a numeric response. This
means this option is only valid for write in number questions or weighted score questions.
- STDEV - gives the standard deviation for a question that has a numeric
response. This means this option is only valid for write in number questions or weighted
score questions.
- STERR - gives the standard error for a question that has a numeric response.
This means this option is only valid for write in number questions or weighted score questions.
- RESP - gives the total number of responses for a specific question. For example
if you wanted to know how many people answered option A for a multiple choice question you would
need to select the question, choose RESP from the function list and then
type in the code for the response that you are interested in. Now click on the Add
button, choose Finish and then place the number on the report page.
- %RESP - gives the percentage number of responses for a specific question
response. For example if you wanted to know the percentage number of people who answered
option A for a multiple choice question you would need to select the question, choose
- ALLCASES - provides you with the number of cases in your database. To get the
number of cases in your database, just select ALLCASES from the function
list and click Add, then click on Finish, now place the number
on the report page.
If you want to use the data from a question in a specific calculation, just follow the
instructions above to Add the field to the Calculation
window, then add any additional mathematical symbols or numbers you need to accomplish the
calculation you want. If you click on any of the keypad buttons on the right of the
Calculate tab the number or symbol will be placed automatically into the Calculation window.
Note: You may also type directly into the calculation window. If you know
exactly what you want, this is the quickest method for setting up a calculation.
On the Calculate window you have a few choices for your comment formatting:
Decimals
- The number of decimals to appear when calculating.
Select query
- Allows you to choose a query you created and apply it to filter the
calculations you create.
Highlight text color
- Allows you to define a value at which the text color will change
for your calculated values. In addition, you may apply bold, italic or underline to the values.
See also...