DataFerrett Users' Guide

Chapter 2 - DataFerrett at a Glance

After installing the DataFerrett Application to your desktop, Launch the DataFerrett Application by clicking on the DataFerrett icon.

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.
• Certain types of users may have to obtain a password to access special data. They will have to uncheck the Public Use box and enter their password.
• Other users will have a proxy server and will use the DataFerrett Applet

The DataFerrett Application and Applet access the same data.

Introduction

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

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. This link will take you to TheDataWeb web site.
• The Discussion Group is where the users and subject matter experts exchange information about using the DataFerrett and the data in the DataFerrett. You will be able to 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 Step 1 screen. In Step 1 you will find the list datasets and surveys available and the searching options available for DataFerrett. You will be able to search by keyword, search by type of dataset, or open the datasets individually by opening the ( + ) signs in front of the folders of the datasets.

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.

You can double click on certain bulleted datasets and view the dataset's topics as shown below.

Select a dataset's topics (checked) and search will return the results, listed on the to the right.

Select variables using the shift or control key and then select the Browse / Select Highlighted Variables button to open the code book.

You will then highlight the variables you are interested in and select the Browse / Select Highlighted Variables. This will take you to the Ferrett Browse Variable window for actual selection and inclusion into your Data Basket.

You will receive a message each time you select a variable(s) to be added to your DataFerrett Basket.

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 in the right hand list over to the spreadsheet and click the GO button to get numbers back.

Above the table grid are several additional functions:

Information

GO button (to actually retrieve the values (numbers)

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

Map (Selected values)

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

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

The Options drop down menu allows 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.

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.

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.

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.