Before data entry can begin the software needs to be installed.
QPSMR Input will normally be downloaded and installed from qpsmr.org.uk or netmr-download.scot. Please follow the instructions on the website.
A QPSMR Input overview, in the form of easy to follow user notes, is also available from qpsmr.org.uk.
QPSMR Telin is licensed and will normally be emailed to you as an MSI file. This is a Windows Installer file and opening it should begin the installation. If your email security system would remove MSI files it may be sent with XMSI as the extension. You will need to rename the file after saving it on your hard drive to remove the X from the name.
Please keep a safe copy of the MSI file in case you need to re-install at a later date. For PCs connected to a server, the MSI should be placed on the server so that it can be installed from there to each PC.
The input program requires a number of files to function correctly.
If the project files have been emailed to you, they will probably be in a compressed (zipped) file. You will need to "extract" the files to a folder on the hard drive before use. We recommend using a separate folder for each project. These project folders will normally be created under the C:\My Projects folder.
It is important to know exactly where the project files have been placed.
For a list of files needed for data entry and their names, see section File types.
To begin entering data with QPSMR Telin, select [QPSMR Telin version] from your Windows desktop or [Start] [Programs] [QPSMR Telin version]. The version will be the version you are using, for example 2006.1.
One of the project files is called the Input Control file and has the extension QIF. This is the file that is opened first.
When the program is started up you see the "Open QPSMR Input file" dialog box, where you should choose the appropriate folder and then open the Input Control file (QIF) you require.
When starting a project you may get a warning that the size of ZZZQFE and ZZZLQN needs to be increased. You can safely ignore this message for old project files created with versions 2004.1 and earlier, but all new projects should have been set up with both these entries set to width 30. Please inform the person who supplied the project files if you get this message.
You may also get a message showing a version number followed by "This project was created with the above version of the software". This means that the software you are using is out of date and you should obtain a later release. You should not use the project files with your old version without checking that this is OK.
You should always be using the latest version of QPSMR Input or QPSMR Telin. The latest version will work with files generated by earlier versions of QPSMR Insight and QPSMR CATI.
If your project files are not normally stored in C:\My Projects then you may wish to change the default location for project files -
Start the program
Open a valid Input Control (QIF) file
Select [Test input]
If you cannot see the menu at the top of the data window -
Hit the F9 key to see the "View options for data" dialog box
Check [Menu] (at the top of the dialog box )
Close the "View options for data" dialog box
Select [Options] [Projects folder]
Choose a new folder for project file searches
This procedure saves the folder name in the Text Document (TXT) file C:\My Projects\IniInput. This file can be edited directly with WordPad and can be copied from PC to PC if needed. The "New projects" folder is the starting point for opening a QIF when the program is started.
The Comma Separated Value (CSV) file called User Numbers is stored in the projects folder. You will need to move this file to the new folder selected if user numbers have already been allocated.
The first time you open a project you may be asked to enter a station number. This number is stored in a Text Document (TXT) file called C:\My Projects\IniStn. The station number will usually be recorded with data entered on this PC.
TIP: The Data window shows the station number at the bottom. If it is not displayed correctly please tell your supervisor.
You may now be asked for your user number from the "User number" dialog box.
We recommend that customers allocate individual, unique user numbers to their staff, as a means of identifying which questionnaire responses were input by which member of staff.
From the "User number" dialog box, if your name and number are shown, simply use your mouse to select it from the list. If your details are not listed, you should type your user number and full name in the boxes provided. If you do not know your user number, ask your supervisor to allocate you with a unique interviewer (user) number. Then select [OK] to continue.
TIP: the Data window shows the user number and name at the bottom of the screen. If it is not displayed correctly please tell your supervisor.
You are then positioned at the "Start of interview" dialog box, ready to begin entering data. You will return to this dialog box at the end of each questionnaire ready to enter a new one.
The options available to you will depend on the entry mode selected when the QIF was made.