A Data Dictionary describes the overall organization of a data file. In other words, it gives a description of how data are stored in a file. CSPro requires that a data dictionary be created for each different file being used.

Each dictionary will allow you to give text labels for all levels, records, items, and value sets in the file. It also allows you to describe the organization of each record in the file and the characteristics of each item in the record: names, position in the data record, type of data, length, number of decimal places, valid values, and other documentation.

Before you convert the information from a questionnaire to computer-readable form, you usually create a data dictionary. You can also create a data dictionary for an existing data file if you have a description of its contents showing the location of each item.

CSPro requires that a Data Dictionary be created for each different file being used.

This section contains the following information: