DataFerrett Users' Guide

Chapter 8 - Browse/Select Geographies Wizard

Another way to browse variables will be the selecting of geographies. Geography is available in this format in some of the datasets in DataFerrett. For this example, you will be selecting the geography from the Decennial Census of Population and Housing, Summary File 3, 2000. (Note: Summary File 3 is an aggregate dataset.)

Open Decennial Census of Population and Housing - Summary File 3 - 2000. In the list of datasets, the first dataset is highlight Selectable Geographies. Next, select View Variables. (Note: you can use the arrows on the separation bar to open the panes or close. You can also place your mouse over the separation bar and drag the pane open or closer.)

Highlight the Selectable Geographies variable. Select the (Green) Browse/View Highlighted Variable button or double click on the highlighted variable.

With this interaction, you should see the Ferrett Browse Geography wizard. Geographies are listed in the combinations of geographies available and should be selected as they are grouped.

The FIPS State Code can be selected and the list of states will be available. For this example we will select the counties in a state.

1. Select Geography Unit: --FIPS County Code then click Next.

   

2. The GeoWizard now wants to know what FIPS State you are going to want the counties from. Select the FIPS State Code and click Next.

   

3. You can include all states by selecting the Select All. You can select a random sampling of states by holding down the control key. For this example we are going to select the state of California and click Next.

   

4. Now select California in the STATE Selected pane on the right. Click Next.

   

5. The GeoWizard is now going to bring up all the counties in the state of California. To select all of the counties select the Select All. Click on the Next button.

   

6. All the counties are listed to the right as the geography for this query. Select the FINISH button to complete this GeoWizard Session.

   

You are able to return to the GeoWizard at any time to make changes to your geography selections in Step 2: Modify Variable(s). Select the FIPS County variable and then select the Modify Variable(s) button (on the right menu bar) to modify your variable and bring up the GeoWizard again.

Chapter 13 will continue this example with adding another variable to the DataBasket and then Make a Map with the data we have collected from the Decennial dataset.

In Chapter 12: Ferrett Table we will go through the steps for the DataFerrett using our Geographic selection to create a table.

In Chapter 13: Ferrett Map we will go through the steps for the DataFerrett to using our Geographic selection to create a map.