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As can be seen in Figure 4 the code values change partway down the right hand column. This causes an issue while documenting as it is not possible to change a CodeAnswer part way down a QuestionGrid, therefore the question can no longer be documented as a single QuestionGrid. In addition to this, it is highly unlikely that the change of code value was intentional; so it is also highly unlikely that the dataset would reflect the mistake. In this situation it is deemed appropriate to violate the fourth principle and check if the dataset contains any values of 3, or were they all recorded as 1. If it is confirmed that the code values of 3 are a mistake then correcting the code values provides a more accurate documentation of the structure of the question and how the question is mapped to the data collected.

Example 2 Questionniare ALSPAC

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Only record what is contained within the questionnaire.

Principle 3 is the third most significant principle and therefore should be broken only when doing so maintains Principles 1 & 2.

It is important while recording historic metadata to refrain from adding additional information that is not within the questionnaire. A seemingly simple concept, but there are situations, particularly in older questionnaires, where the questionnaire does not provide all of the information to document meaningfully or to generate valid DDI. A real-world example of when not to add to the metadata is when a questionnaire asks

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An example where the metadata must be added to in order to maintain Principle 1 is when a questionnaire uses an arrow to denote a condition. It is impossible to document an arrow literally and leaving it out of the documentation altogether changes the logical flow of the questionnaire. Therefore, text representing the arrow's meaning has to be added.

Example 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Do not allow the data recorded (i.e. the variables) to inform the metadata archiving.

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The most common situation where breaking Principle 4 is valid is when Principles 2 or 3 must be broken. For example, in the situation where it is most appropriate to correct the questionnaire, it is obviously vital to check whether the mistake was intentional or not and if the mistake had a distinct effect on the collected data.

 Example 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Poynter, W. and Spiegel, J. (2015) Protocol Development for Large-Scale Metadata Archiving using DDI-Lifecycle. IASSIST Quarterly, 39, 3, p.23-29.

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