Keying in Your Answer Data
Before you can enter your answer data, you
must first set up a format and create a data
file.  There is a simple procedure for this,
either by manually entering the descriptors
and defining their types, or by copying an
existing format from a questionnaire file or
an existing data file.

Each data file you create becomes a separate
.DTA file on the disk.  Once you've created
your data file, or you've selected the
existing file into which you want to enter
data, you'll see the data entry workscreen.

You start by entering the identifier for the
respondent; this can be the person's name,
occupation, or any other identifying phrase
with up to 25 characters.  If you leave it
blank, SurveyMaker will save it as
"UNIDENTIFIED".
Next you move the cursor to the position for
the first answer item.  Note that you can
enter multiple-choice, numeric, or comment
items from the same screen.  You can navigate
around the workscreen using the normal cursor
movement keys.  You can't position the cursor
any further down the list of responses than
the last one you've entered.

If you enter a number for a multiple-choice
item, the cursor will automatically advance
to the next item.  If the survey uses a
10-point scale, entering a 1 will cause the
program to wait for either a cursor key or
a 0.  You can just hit 0 to represent a 10.

SurveyMaker checks to make sure your multiple-
choice entries fall within the legal bounds of
the survey's option scale.  It will only
accept eligible values.
If you're not completely sure about entering
data, hit the F1 key to see a list of
keystrokes associated with the process.
Remember to use an asterisk ( * ) to enter a
non-response item.

To enter a multiple-select item, i.e. a
multiple-choice item that allows the
respondent to select more than one option
(e.g. check all that apply), first hit the M
key.  This will open a window at the top of
the screen with a series of check boxes, as
many as are allowed on your option scale.

Just hit the number of each scale item to
toggle it on.  This will cause an X to appear
in the appropriate box for that option.
Hitting the same number repeatedly will
toggle the X on and off.

When you have the X's in the proper boxes for
all of the selections under this item, just
use the cursor control keys to move on to the
next item.  The box will reappear if you
return to this item.

When you've entered the answer for the last
item, SurveyMaker will ask for approval to
save the complete response to the data file
you selected.  If you don't confirm the save
procedure, you will simply continue working
on this response.  If you save it, you'll see
a new workscreen, ready for entering the next
response.

You can use the cursor control keys to move
around the data-entry workscreen, in case you
need to revise one or more entries.


Whenever you want to exit from the data entry
procedure, just hit the Esc key.  Confirm
that you do want to exit (without saving the
partial response you've entered) and you'll
go back to the menu.

Whenever you like, you can take the quick-
look menu option to see a statistical summary
of the responses you've entered so far.