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  1. The Data Story Guide
  2. Data Files

Data Files

How to create and obtain data files, common file formats, what good data looks like

Creating or Obtaining a Data File

  • Ways of Creating/Obtaining a Data File
  • Obtaining a Data File From Another Person or Organization
  • Creating a Flat File Using a Spreadsheet
  • Creating Data Files via Database Queries (e.g., SQL)

Common Data File Formats

  • Overview of Data File Formats
  • Relational Database
  • Flat Data File
  • Fixed-Width File
  • Tab Delimited Text File
  • Comma-Delimited File
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Characteristics of a Good Data File

  • Data in a Rectangular Shape, with Appropriate Cases and Varibles
  • Variables are Stored in the Data Set Consistently with their Variable Type
  • The Data File Contains a Unique Identifier (ID Variable)
  • Missing Values are Stored Appropriately
  • Categorical Variables Contain a Complete List of Useful Value Labels
  • Randomizations and Rotations Have Been Removed
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