Chapter 4: Documenting Survey Data Files - ASPE

3. Data DictionaryA data dictionary should be included in the survey filedocumentation’s third section. To minimize the burden ofdeveloping survey data dictionaries, the Work Group recommendsthat an annotated questionnaire be used as the basis for surveyfiles’ data dictionaries. In presenting a questionnaire as a datadictionary, grantees should note the following items:• The variable name associated with specific questionnaireresponses.• Skip pattern instructions.• Allowable values and formats for specific questions.• Data limitations for specific questions (e.g., perceivedreliability issues with questions as written).It is also important that the file documentation provide additionaldetail about certain aspects of the survey data. For example, thedocumentation should describe the following:• How variables have been constructed for analysis.• Where survey values have been imputed.• Where supplementary survey administration variables havebeen included in the file.Figure 4.3 shows anexample of a surveydata dictionary.The Grantee Toolkitprovides a templatefor producing this datadictionary.A separate data dictionary should be produced for data elementsthat are not listed in the survey questionnaire (e.g., constructedvariables). This dictionary should follow the format outlined foradministrative data variables (see Chapter 3, Section 3). Anexample of how this format may be adapted for survey data isillustrated in Figure 4.3 and a template for producing this datadictionary is provided in the Grantee Toolkit (see Chapter 6).Chapter 4: Documenting Survey Data FilesIV-13