Chapter 2 - DataFerrett at a Glance

Launch the DataFerrett by clicking on the Launch DataFerrett from dataferrett.census.gov.

Log In

• The first step is to log in to the system. You will put in your exact email address which is required for extracting data and having it sent to your computer. Please do not insert false or incorrect email addresses to login to DataFerrett.
• You will have to be connected to the internet to access data.
• Public use data does not require a password. Certain types of users may have to obtain a password to access special data. They will have to uncheck the public use data only box and enter their password.

Introduction

The Introduction Tab is the screen you arrive at after you log in. The Introduction Tab is an information screen for the DataFerrett.

The Introduction Tab has several links on it:

• You can learn more about TheDataWeb in the About TheDataWeb.
  
• You can get information about how to Download a Server.
• The Discussion Group / User Forum is where the users and subject matter experts exchange information about using the data in the DataFerrett. You may join the group and participate in the discussions that meet your interest.


• The Tutorials gets you to the DataFerrett tutorials.


• Examples offers several links to examples that have be created for users to start using DataFerrett with a specific data in mind. These are submitted by subject matter experts, the DataFerrett Team, and users who are participating in the examples process.
• Use the DataFerrett Users' Guide link to get to this Users' Guide straight from the DataFerrett application.
• The Kinds of DataSets link will take you to the DataFerrett web site and see the many types of data types that are used in the DataFerrett application.
• And, by clicking on the DataSets Available link you will go to the DataFerrett web site and the DataSets Available link. This page gives you a list of all the datasets released for public use in DataFerrett. It will also give you links to the providers of these datasets web sites.

The GetDataNow button opens the Step 1: Select Dataset & Variable screen.

Also, you can just select the Step 1: Select Dataset & Variable tab and it will take you to the list of datasets and surveys available and the searching options available. You can search by keyword, search by name of variable, or open the datasets individually by opening the ( + ) signs in front of the folders of the datasets and survey titles.

This screen allows you to search through the surveys as they have been registered with DataFerrett on TheDataWeb. The datasets are listed in alphabetical order.

Continue clicking on the plus sign to see the year or other description of the dataset until you see a category with a bullet.

When you have highlighted the lowest level before variables you will get a fly out that has the selection of Description or View Variables.

Description will open on the right the Description about the data in this collection, maybe web site links, and maybe contact information that supplied by the sponsor.

View Variables will open on the right the list of Topics or it may just open the list of available variables.

Select a dataset's topics (checked) and then the magnifying glass to Search. The Topics will be replaced with the results, listing the variables available in the Topics of the selected dataset/survey.

Choose variables by double clicking on one or using the shift or control key to select multiple variables. Multiple variable selection requires you to then select the blue Browse / Select Highlighted Variables button at the top of the pane to open the Ferrett Browse Variable window or otherwise known as the codebook and details of each variable.

The Ferrett Browse Variable window is for actual selection of the values of a variable that can be selected to be included for your query or a de-selection of values can restrict and the data results. When you click on the OK button at the top right this will include your selected variables and the corresponding values into your DataBasket.

You will receive a message each time you select a variable(s) to be --added to your DataFerrett Basket and how many variables you have added.

You have the option to change to a different dataset and thereby start over by pressing the Empty DataBasket button to empty your DataBasket.

The "I" button gives instructions for the screen and how to perform the screen's main functions.

Step 2: Data Basket / Download / Make A Table

The Step 2 tab has several functions:

Make A Table

Download

Recode Variables

Modify Variables

Delete Variables

Advance SQL Option

Change Longitudinal Period

Save Selected Variable(s) CodeBook

These will be discussed at length in Chapter 9 of this Users' Guide

Step 2. Make a Table

The Make a Table button gives you access to one of the most powerful features of the DataFerrett. The variables in your Data Basket appear to the right of the table grid.

Drag and drop the variables from the right hand list over to the spreadsheet and click the GO Get Data button to get numbers back.

Above the table grid are several additional functions:

GO Get Data button (to actually retrieve the values (numbers)

Make a Graph (Gives several types of graphs: line, bar, stacked, etc.)

Map (Selected values)

Point Data Map

TimeSeries graph

Clear table grid (to start over)

Sort (Ascending / Descending / Unsort)

Full view of grid (covers up the variables listed to the right)

Examine Underlying Records (depends on the submitted data)

Format (decimal places)

No Percent, percent of rows, percent of columns, percent of cell

Mini Movies are very short movies of basic functions of the tabulation screen. Most of these are under 1 minute in length.

Calculations are inserted under this "toolbar" and uses the Rows and/or Columns number designations in the formulas.

In the left corner below the calculation text box button is a green cell that is a Pivot drop cell. This function allows the user to drop a variable that has multiple values and those values can be selected to restrict the universe of the table and add another statistical dimension to the table. This will be discussed in more detail in the Make A Table portion of this Users' Guide.

Note: Under the Options drop down menu there are several functions for setting up the table's data options, as seen below.

All the individual Make a Table functions will be discussed further in Chapter 13.

Save the DataFerrett Session

On all pages the drop down menus at the top of the screen(s) will allow you to save your DataFerrett Session DataBasket. In the Table screen you will be able to save your Table layout.

Make a Graph

Selecting cells of your table will allow you to create a graph of your data, with title and exporting capabilities.

Make a Map

With highlighted values within certain datasets containing geography variables you are able to create a map.

Step 3: Download

Download data has several format options:

• SAS
• SPSS
• Excel/Access
• Space Delimited
• Comma Delimited

  These can be downloaded or extracted with:

• No compression
• DOS (PKZIP)
• GNU (GZIP)

You have the option of your downloaded data or extract being returned in batch mode or not. Batch is usually selected for large numbers of values and variables. This is one of the critical issues for logging into DataFerrett with your correct email address.

Help will direct you to a Getting Started Quick Tour,  Help Request   to email for support, the Known Bugs found within DataFerrett, Release Notes for updates and upgrade information, and the Version of DataFerrett you are running.