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Users of QPSMR Classic programs (Insight and CATI) should read the later section for Classic users.
Companion modules available at this release are:
You can download the software and without a licence you can use the following features.
The triple-s files (XML and ASC) are an industry standard storage method for metadata and data.
Load a triple-s XML file to create a project file (QDF) and then:
•View the triple-s raw data file (ASC or CSV)
•View summary counts of the data
•Save (export) the data in spreadsheet format (CSV)
•Output the metadata to a CL STP script
•Output the metadata to a Quantum script
From a suitable project file (QDF) you can output a triple-s XML file which can be used with the project data.
You can open an Input file (.qpsmrinp) to:
Test a questionnaire
Input live data, paper and CAPI
Update, Verify, change serial, and delete data
You can input data using Companion Input on Windows and Android.
You can open Reflect database to use the Data drill down window to produce simple filtered and weighted tables and also distinction analyses.
Mean scores and significance tests will be shown on the tables.
Tables and distinction analyses produced can be saved to an OpenXML/Excel (.xlsx) file.
You can view the following types of raw data files:
CSV files
Fixed format character files
Binary files
The Companion will inspect data files of unknown type to determine the most likely format.
You can produce formatted tables from a Reflect database using the main Companion or the separate Companion Reflect program.
With a licence you can use all the above facilities plus the following features which enhance the functionality available in the QPSMR Classic programs.
Questionnaire definition facilities are complete and include:
•You can use any mix of languages
•Project files can be created, opened, viewed, checked, and saved
•Global settings can be viewed and altered
•The entry (question) list view can be sorted by column
•Find and replace for entry texts
•Block updates of entries to apply filters and response restrictors
•Remove references to a selected entry
•View data locations and last used location
•Output and update of all texts using external spreadsheet file
•Print interviewer or checking questionnaire with or without data locations
•List interviewer instructions
•Block name changes with paste special. Extended facilities licence needed
•Block updates of questions to add or remove reject responses. Extended facilities licence needed
•Block updates of entries to set score values. Extended facilities licence needed
•Block updates of entries to set ranking ranges. Extended facilities licence needed
•Block update of variables to move responses and add summary rows. Extended facilities licence needed
•Shrink value sizes from imported files to work with QPSMR Classic
•Export as triple-s XML if the data layout is compatible
•Export as a CL script (STP)
•Export as a Quantum script
•Export as an SPSS script (SPS) if the data layout is compatible
The same QDF files can be used with both the Companion and Classic programs.
•Entries can be selected, deleted, cut, copied, pasted, and renamed
•Entries can be added, updated, and changes can be undone
•Entries can be duplicated
•Questions can be created from imported text
•Variable copies can be made from any entry
•Entries can be combined into one variable
•Variable responses (logical definitions) can test values of earlier entries against constants and against other entries
•Variable responses can be built from other entries using block "or", "and", and "not"
•Variable responses can be built as a matrix from other entries
•Convert multi-coded to a number of single-coded questions
•Entries can be put in named groups which can be coloured to identify them
•Filters (logical definitions) can test values of earlier entries against constants and against other entries
•Filters can be applied to questions, variables and question responses by dragging them from the main window list
•Filters can optionally be stored in the raw data file (ASC) as 0 (false) or 1(true)
•Variable contents can optionally be stored in the raw data file (ASC)
•Full arithmetic definitions to calculate values from other entries
•Arithmetic functions to extract the score value, count responses in a multi-coded entry
•Arithmetic functions to get the minimum or maximum value from a list of other entries
•Create a Grid question set and Grid variable pair
•Can be used without a licence
•All entries or only selected entries
•Paper project
•CAPI project (includes randomisation and picture displays)
•Can be used without a licence
•Paper project
•CAPI project (includes randomisation and picture displays)
•Windows and Android versions
Whenever a data file is read all filters and variables are recalculated and applied.
If a data file is saved then it is the cleaned data that is stored.
Companion can read and save data files as:
•Spreadsheet CSV (UTF-8 encoded with BOM)
•Character fixed format ASC, data locations are bytes. Encoding can be Locale or UTF-8 (with or without a BOM)
•Character fixed format UNI, data locations are characters. Encoding can be Locale, UTF-8 (with or without a BOM), or UTF-16 LE
•Binary CBA (QPSMR Classic), CBE (Quantum binary) or CSI (IBM 360 binary)
It can also read data in an Excel or single tier XML file.
Opening and closing a data file causes an entry to be put in the History file in the History sub-folder.
When a data file has been read it is kept in the Data ready list so that if it is wanted later there is no need to reread the raw data.
Data files can be refreshed (filters and variables recalculated) and converted to other types.
Data files can be combined (put together) and new serial numbers allocated if necessary.
Data files can be converted from one type to another.
QPSMR CATI appointment (Partial) and sample files are saved correctly.
There is a refresh option to tidy a data file by:
•Sorting into serial number order
•Removing any empty space
•Recalculating filters and variables and storing in the data if requested
•Building a new sample index file (.qsp) if it is a CATI sample index file
Refreshing a data file will read and save a copy with all filters and variables are recalculated and applied.
Raw data file checking to scan a raw data file against the project and:
•List structural errors: for example serial and card number errors, and faulty data types
•List logical errors: for example missing data, values out of range, and inconsistent data
•Include verbatim text from the separate verbatim file
•Save a revised file with errors fixed and faulty data removed
•Summary report: aggregated data by question with percentages
Data files can be merged using the serial number or other entry which is unique for each record.
Data can be "forced" if a question contains a certain answer or a logic condition is satisfied.
Merge data files can contain response texts instead of response numbers.
Produce a spreadsheet report or file from a data file and control:
•Which records are output
•Which entries are output, including verbatim entries
•How the output is produced for each entry
The specification can be saved and reused.
Export data and metadata to SPSS and triple-s:
•Using an existing compatible data file - only information stored in the data file is exported
•Using a converted data file - exports whole project including rejects, filters, and variables
Export to QPSMR Reflect.
Export an analysis file for end user access to Data Drill Down.
Weights can be calculated to achieve set targets and the weights stored in the raw data file:
•Grossing up or down
•Target weighting (full matrix)
•Rim weighting
•Targets can be set for single-coded, multi-coded, integer, float, and filter entries
•Individual weights can be constrained to a range of values
Data can be viewed in a data grid, presented in columns with one column per question, one row per questionnaire.
Question routing (filter application) is applied.
Verbatim question text can be included with the rest of the data.
There are various options for which rows and columns to show and any data errors can be highlighted.
The view can be filtered and sorted and the displayed data output to an OpenXML spreadsheet file (.xlsx) or CSV.
A list of serial numbers can be produced.
With a data file:
•Add records
•Update individual questionnaire data responses
The data file will be locked whilst it is being updated.
The input facilities can be used to input and update records by many users at the same time.
You can produce a sample index report at any time.
Telephone numbers can be encrypted and password protected in the sample data file.
Quota files can be created, viewed, and edited.
Data counts and percentages for each entry in the project.
For multi-coded entries a report of the number of times each combination of responses is found in the data file.
Produce filtered tables for data inspection.
Also includes a distinction analysis to compare two sub-samples for significant differences.
Reports can be output to an OpenXML/Excel spreadsheet file (.xlsx).
Tables are comprised of:
•Optional respondent weight
•One or more quantity weights - if more than one they are multiplied together
•One or more filters - records must pass all filters to enter table
•Column entry
•Row entry
Additional rows and columns can be produced in addition to the responses in the entries tabulated:
•Missing - records that do not have a response in this entry
•Count - the total number of responses given to a multi-coded entry (rows only unless horizontal percentages used)
•Unweighted - if the data is weighted the unweighted total figures are also shown
•ESS - if the data is weighted then the Effective Sample Size total figures are also shown
•Mean score - if the responses are values or have scores attached then the average will be shown
This lists all entries in the data where there is a "significant" difference between the two sub-samples chosen:
•For responses a Z test is used
•If responses have score values attached then a t test on the score values will be used instead
•For values (integers and floats) a t test is used
Entries are listed in descending order of the significance level.
TIP: distinction analysis is much quicker for finding differences between two sub-sets of the data than producing tables.
Tables files (.qtf) can be created, modified and run from the analysis window.
Tables files, including grid tables, are compatible with Companion Reflect.
The CSV tables output is converted to Excel/OpenXML as formatted tables.
Multiple tables can be changed simultaneously.
The data for tables production can be Portable CSV, character (ASC), or binary.
Grid tables can be produced from correctly named entries.
A table of contents is produced and you can choose whether to have all the tables in one sheet or each table in a separate sheet.
Cells will be coloured green (significantly better) or red (significantly worse).
A Command language script (.stp) can be run. This requires the extended licence option.
You can also convert an existing tables output CSV file to Excel/OpenXML.
This refers to the raw data as it is stored in a character or binary data file.
Only the global settings in the project are used; entries are ignored and data is viewed by data locations:
•Check encoding
•Raw data file view, sort, edit, add and delete lines
•Ability to edit multi-punched data (binary)
•Find and replace in selected columns
•Collate by serial number
•Add, replace, and combine serial numbers. Extended facilities licence needed
•Produce hole count (summary data by data location)
This refers to the raw data in a CSV data file or other file as a worksheet.
The first row contains the headers for each column.
Alternative separators can used and short data rows can be combined together.
The project information is not used; all cells are treated as text (character information).
•Check encoding
•Change cells by over-typing
•Add and delete rows
•Delete columns
•Re-order, rename and extract selected columns. Extended facilities licence needed
•Sort and extract selected rows. Extended facilities licence needed