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<code>ietestform</code> is a Stata command used to test ODK-based [[SurveyCTO Server Management | SurveyCTO]] forms during [[Questionnaire Programming | questionnaire programming]] and before [[Primary Data Collection | fieldwork]]. It tests for best practices in coding, naming and labeling, and choice lists. Researchers should implement the command after using SurveyCTO’s server test feature. This article describes how and when to use the command and interpret its output.
[https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics] has created <code>[[iefieldkit]]</code> as a package in [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]] to support the process of [[Primary Data Collection|primary data collection]] from start to finish. In most cases, third party [[Survey Firm|survey firms]] or local partners collect data on behalf of the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]]. Therefore, [[Data Quality Assurance Plan|data quality assurance]] is a particularly important aspect of '''data collection'''. <code>ietestform</code> allows the '''research team''' to test [https://opendatakit.org/ Open Data Kit (ODK)-based] electronic  [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey forms]] for common errors, as well as [[SurveyCTO Coding Practices | best practices]] for '''SurveyCTO-based Form forms''' before [[Preparing for Field Data Collection|field data collection]] starts. For example, the [[SurveyCTO Server Management|SurveyCTO server]] has a built-in test feature that tests the '''ODK''' syntax of a form when it is uploaded by the '''research team'''. <code>ietestform</code> complements these built-in tests to ensure that the collected data is in a format that is easily readable in '''Stata''', and warns users who use practices we have learnt are prone to data quality errors.  


==Read First==
==Read First==
*Install <code>ietestform</code> by typing <code>ssc install ietestform</code> in Stata.
* Please refer to [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata coding practices]] for coding best practices in '''Stata'''.
*For instructions and available options, type <code>help ietestform</code> in Stata.
* <code>ietestform</code> is part of the package <code>[[iefieldkit]]</code>, which has been developed by [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics].
*This command is a part of the package <code>[[Stata_Coding_Practices#iefieldkit|iefieldkit]]</code>; to install all the commands in this package, including <code>ietestform</code>, type <code>ssc install iefieldkit</code> in Stata
* To install <code>ietestform</code>, as well as other commands in the <code>iefieldkit</code> package, type <syntaxhighlight lang="Stata" inline>ssc install iefieldkit</syntaxhighlight> in '''Stata'''.
* For instructions and available options, type <syntaxhighlight lang="Stata" inline>help ietestform</syntaxhighlight>.


==Overview==
== Overview ==
<code>ietestform</code> is a Stata command used to test ODK-based SurveyCTO forms during [[Questionnaire Programming | questionnaire programming]] and before [[Primary Data Collection | fieldwork]]. It tests for best practices in coding, naming and labeling, and choice lists. The command then outputs a test report in .csv-format. <code>ietestform</code> is intended to be used after SurveyCTO's server test feature rather than in place of it.
In Open Data Kit (ODK)-based electronic [[Survey Pilot|survey]] kits, including [https://www.surveycto.com/ SurveyCTO], [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey forms]] (or [[Questionnaire Programming|questionnaires]]) are typically [[SurveyCTO Programming#Programming in Excel|built in Excel]] using a specialized structured syntax. Before the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] starts with [[Preparing for Field Data Collection|field data collection]], they can use <code>ietestform</code> to test ODK-based electronic '''survey forms''' for common errors, as well as [[SurveyCTO Coding Practices | best practices]] for '''SurveyCTO-based forms'''.  


To use this command in Stata, simply specify your SurveyCTO form and the path to which you want to write the report:
For example, the [[SurveyCTO Server Management|SurveyCTO server]] has a built-in feature that tests the ODK syntax of a form when it is uploaded by the '''research team'''. <code>ietestform</code> complements these built-in tests to ensure that the collected data is in a format that is easily readable in [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]], and warns users who use practices we have learnt are prone to data quality errors. Therefore, the <code>ietestform</code> command should be used after testing the '''survey form''' on a '''SurveyCTO server''' to make sure there are no syntax errors.
<code>ietestform , surveyform("/path/to/surveyform.xlsx") report("/path/to/report.csv")</code>
Note that the <code>ietestform</code> may flag a feature that is indeed the best option for your particular case. Interpret the output conscientiously: be sure to understand why each case was flagged and decide whether to modify the form or not accordingly. If you are not sure why something was flagged, read the explanations of each test below. If you think that the command incorrectly flagged cases in your SurveyCTO form, please report the case [https://github.com/worldbank/iefieldkit/issues here] and DIME Analytics will happily work on improving the command.


==Tests for Coding Practices==
== Syntax ==
This section describes the <code>ietestform</code> tests on ODK programming language. These tests flag risks of error that may interrupt field work. Note that <code>ietestform</code> assumes that the ODK syntax is already tested and is correct; it is intended to be used after the form has passed the ODK syntax test on SurveyCTO's server.  
The basic syntax for <code>ietestform</code> is as follows:
=== Required Column ===
<syntaxhighlight lang="Stata">ietestform
The required column ensures that the enumerator cannot proceed before a response has been entered into the field. This prevents submissions of incomplete forms and helps ensure that enumerators complete forms in the right order.
  , surveyform("filename.xlsx")
    report("report.csv")</syntaxhighlight>
The <code>ietestform</code> command generates a report in '''.csv''' format. The report flags errors in coding, as well as practices that are not strictly wrong, but which may indicate bad practices, and therefore need a manual review. The report generated by <code>ietestform</code> can be displayed in a number of software applications, and can also be used with collaboration tools like [https://github.com/ GitHub].  


While you can fill in a value in the required column, only field types with a ''view'' (i.e. showing up when filling in a form), are affected by that value. Examples of fields without a view are begin_group, end_repeat, text_audit, calculate, deviceid, caseid, etc. All fields without a view are ignored in the tests related to the required column.
If you think that the command incorrectly flagged issues in your [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|SurveyCTO form]], please report the case [https://github.com/worldbank/iefieldkit/issues here] to help [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics] improve the command. Refer to the following sections for a detailed explanation of the tests performed by <code>ietestform</code>. These tests are meant to flag errors that may interrupt [[Preparing for Field Data Collection|field work]]. Note that <code>ietestform</code> should be used only after the '''form''' has passed the ODK syntax checks on the [[SurveyCTO Server Management|SurveyCTO server]].


<code>ietestform</code> runs two tests related to the required column.
== Required Column ==
Required fields ensure that the [[Enumerator Training|enumerators]] cannot proceed without entering a response to a particular field (each question is a field). This prevents submissions of incomplete forms, and helps ensure that '''enumerators''' complete forms in the right order. A field is required if it has the "Yes" value in the ''required'' column.  


====All Non-Note Fields Required====
It is common that respondents do not have an answer or do not want to share an answer to a question, but a missing value should never be used to represent such non-answers. Instead, the [[Questionnaire Programming|questionnaire]] should allow non-answers, for example, "I do not know" or "Decline to answer" as valid answers.
This tests that all fields that are not of type ''note'' have the value "Yes" in the required column. It then outputs a list to the report for all fields that are not ''required'' and not of type ''note''. Note that even when "no answer" is a valid response from the respondent, never use the absence of a recorded answer to represent that; when applicable, use a valid method to record that the respondent’s answer was "no answer".
Therefore, almost all fields should be required in an ODK [[Survey Pilot|survey]] while still being able to handle non-answers.


Sometimes, researchers choose to intentionally leave GPS fields as ''not'' required (i.e. geoppoint, geoshape and geotrace). If you know that the devices used for data collection will have no problem collecting GPS coordinates, keep these fields required. However, if GPS coordinates will be difficult to collect due to, for example, connection issues, it may be a good idea to not require these fields so that the enumerator can still complete the other fields and submit the form even when he/she cannot record GPS coordinates.
Note that only column types that show up when filling the form are affected by that value. For example, fields like ''begin_group'', ''end_repeat'', ''text_audit'' do not show up while filling the form, and so tests related to the ''required'' columns ignore these fields.


====No Note Fields Required====
<code>ietestform</code> runs two tests related to the ''required'' columns depending on whether they are note type or non-note type. Fields which are of the note type are those for which the '''enumerator''' does not have to enter any input. Instead, the '''enumerator''' only needs to read out a specific text note.
Fields of type ''note'' have a view and can therefore be required. However, there is no way to record data in a ''note'' field, so there is no way to pass a required note-field. While this feature can sometimes be put to great use (see below), it is generally problematic. <code>ietestform</code> writes a list to the report of all fields that are of type ''note'' and are ''required''.


Note that here are cases in which required note fields may be really useful. Since enumerators cannot pass these fields, researchers may use them with a relevance condition so that they show up if an earlier entry in the form is incorrect. This forces the numerator to go back and correct the error before continuing data collection.  
=== Non-note fields: ''required'' ===
<code>ietestform</code> tests to make sure that all fields that are not of note type have the value "Yes" in the ''required'' column, that is, they are required. The final report then lists all those fields not of type note, but are not required.


For example, enumerators are often asked to enter respondent IDs twice to be extra careful that there is no typo in the ID. Let's say those two double entry fields are <code>id1</code> and <code>id2</code>. These fields can be followed by a required note field that has the relevance expression <code>${id1} != ${id2}</code>; then, the note will only appear if the two IDs are not identical. The note label can then inform the enumerator that the two ID fields are not identical and that the enumerator must go back and change the values in order to continue.
Even when some type of non-response by a respondent, such as “Declined to answer”, is acceptable, there should always be a valid method to record the reason for no response. The [[Enumerator Training|enumerator]] should not leave the input field empty in this case. The absence of a recorded answer should only mean that the '''enumerator''' did not ask the question during the [[Survey Pilot|survey]]. In cases where it is acceptable to skip a question, you should use an appropriate relevance condition.


In this case, researchers could also use the constraint condition on the second ID field when the ID is re-entered. However, the message in the required note field approach could be more informative than the message in the constraint condition. Further, when the conditional test is more difficult than just testing that two fields are identical, the required note field method is an easier approach than using intermediate calculate and relevance fields.
Fields that record GPS coordinates for instance, are some of the fields that may intentionally have a "No" value under the ''required'' column. Such fields often have their type as '''geopoint''', '''geoshape''', or '''geotrace'''. If you know that you will have no problem collecting GPS
coordinates, then you should have a "Yes" value in the ''required'' column to ensure that you get valid data points.  


===Numeric Ranges===
However, if GPS coordinates are difficult to collect, then it might be a good idea to not have a "Yes" value under the ''required'' column. This will allow the '''enumerator''' to complete the other fields and submit the '''survey''' even if it is not possible to record GPS coordinates. In this case, <code>ietestform</code> will still report these fields, but you can still proceed with '''survey''' if it was an active decision you are happy with.
''not implemented yet''


All numeric fields, integer fields or decimal fields should have ranges for acceptable values in the constraint column. Make this range wider than what you expect it to be! The range in the constraint column should be used to prevent typos, to prevent illogical values (like negative age) but ''not to force the data to be within your preexisting expectations''. Your preexisting expectation is a good starting point for this range, but make it much wider, as you do not yet know what special cases may exist; these outliers can be important for your research.
=== Note fields: not ''required'' ===
While fields of the note type can have a "Yes" value in the ''required'' column, they cannot record an input. Therefore, if an [[Enumerator Training|enumerator]] comes across such a field during a live [[Survey Pilot|survey]] , they cannot move past this field. In this case, there is no way to continue with the interview, and the '''enumerator''' will not be able to submit the data already [[Primary Data Collection|collected]] from previous questions. <code>ietestform</code> therefore reports a list of all fields that are of the note type, and have a "Yes" value in the ''required'' column.


===Matching begin_/end_===
Remember that there are cases in which note fields which are required may be useful. Since '''enumerators''' cannot move past these fields, you may use them with a relevance condition so that these fields show up if an earlier entry in the form is incorrect. This will force the '''enumerator''' to go back and correct the error before continuing with the interview..  
While the ODK syntax tester on SurveyCTO's server test for matching begin_ and end_ values, the error message for this error is not always useful — especially when the form is very large. The lack of clarity in these error messages may result from the fact that ODK does not require the end_group and end_repeat to have field names. So the first part of <code>ietestform</code>’s test for this characteristic checks that all end_group and end_repeat fields have a value in the field name column. The main part of this test is to test that all begin_group are matched by an end_group and that all begin_repeat are matched by an end_repeat. To be considered matched, the following three criteria need to be fulfilled:
# for each begin_ there is an end_
# the corresponding end_ is of the correct type such that a begin_group is not closed by an end_repeat or a begin_repeat is not closed by an end_group.
# the end_ names match the begin_ names. SurveyCTO's server makes sure that the begin_ names are unique, so each pair will be unique if this part of the test is passed.


==Tests for Naming and Labeling Practices ==
For example, '''enumerators''' often enter respondent IDs twice to make sure there is no typo in the ID. You may name the two entry fields ''id1'' and ''id2''. Then you can follow these fields with a ''required'' note field which has the relevance expression as <code>${id1} != ${id2}</code>.  In this case, the note type field will only appear if the two entries are not identical. You can use the note text to inform the '''enumerator''' that the two ID fields are not identical, and that the '''enumerator''' must go back and change the values in order to continue.
ODK has very few restrictions on names apart from that all names must be unique and that a few characters are not allowed. All of those restrictions are tested by the ODK syntax test on SurveyCTO's server. The additional tests done by <code>ietestform</code> are mainly due to the additional Stata naming rules that you will encounter when importing data to Stata.


===Field Name Length===
== Matching begin_ and end_ ==
Stata has a limit of 32 characters in the field name. Stata will truncate the name if the name is longer than that, or replace the name with a generic name on the format var1, var2, etc. if the name no longer is unique after being truncated. While all of these cases can be resolved in Stata, it is much simpler to solve naming issues before starting to collect the data. This test lists all fields with names longer than 32 characters.


===Repeat Group Field Name Length===
The <code>ietestform</code> command checks that all ''begin_group'' fields are matched by an ''end_group'', and that all ''begin_repeat'' fields are matched by an ''end_repeat''. While the ODK syntax tester on the [[SurveyCTO Server Management|SurveyCTO server]] also tests for matching ''begin_'' and ''end_'' values, the <code>ietestform</code> command provides additional information that makes it faster and easier to solve this problem, especially when the [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey form]] (or [[Questionnaire Design|questionnaire]]) is very large.  
This test has two parts. The first part lists fields in repeat groups that have names that will be too long in the wide format when imported to Stata. The second part lists fields in repeat groups where the risk of too long names is high, but not certain.


When using SurveyCTO's Stata import do-file or when exporting the data set in wide format, all variables in a repeat group will have a suffix added to the variable name. For example, if a repeat group is repeated three times, then in the wide dataset, any variable in that repeat group will generate three variables, with the names suffixed followed by _1, _2 and _3 respectively. This suffix will also count towards the 32 characters limitation for variable names in Stata discussed in the previous test. Thus, any variable in a repeat group may should have a field name no longer than 30 characters. If the field is in a nested repeat group (a repeat group inside a repeat group), then it will be suffixed once for each repeat group. So the actual constraint used in this test is given by this formula: <code>32 - (2 * number of nested repeat groups for the field)</code>. This test lists all variables that have longer names than that constraint.
For example, [https://opendatakit.org/ ODK] does not require that the ''end_group'' and ''end_repeat'' fields should have field
names (''begin_group'' and ''begin_repeat'' are required to have names). This makes it difficult to identify where the error is in the underlying
'''survey''' form. However, <code>ietestform</code> fills that gap because it requires also ''end_group'' and ''end_repeat'' fields should have names and that they should match the corresponding ''begin_group'' and ''begin_repeat'' field. <code>ietestform</code> lists these missing
names in the report, along with the row number (in the Excel form) of other non-valid ''begin_'' and ''end_'' pairs.


In the first test we assume that there are not more than 9 iterations in each repeat group; if there would be more than 9 then the suffixes will be _10, _11 etc., which takes up three characters. So the second test lists all fields that have a field name that is longer than <code>32 - (3 * number of nested repeat groups for the field)</code>. Whether this will create an issue with long names is uncertain, but if your names are so long that they might be caught in this test, then it is probably best practice to try to make the names shorter.
For a ''begin_'' and ''end_'' pair to be considered valid by  <code>ietestform</code>, the following three criteria must be met:
# For each ''begin_'' field, there must be an ''end_'' field.
# The corresponding ''end_'' field must be of the correct type. That is, a ''begin_group'' should not be closed by an ''end_repeat'', and a ''begin_repeat'' should not closed by an ''end_group''.
# The names of the ''end_'' fields must match the names of ''begin_'' fields. The [[SurveyCTO Server Management|SurveyCTO server]] already tests to makes sure that the ''begin_'' names are unique, so each ''begin_'' and ''end_'' pair will also be unique if this condition is met.


===Repeat Group Name Conflict===
== Naming and Labeling ==
This test checks for name conflicts that may result from the suffixes added to fields inside a repeat group. SurveyCTO's ODK syntax tester tests that all names are unique. The name ''myvar'' and ''myvar_1'' are not duplicates in the ODK syntax test, but if ''myvar'' is in a repeat field, it will be suffixed with _1 for the first iteration of that variable; that will create a name conflict with the variable created from field ''myvar_1''.


This test lists all fields inside a repeat group with which another field may conflict due to names. For example, if there is a field with name ''myvar’’, <code>ietestform</code> tests if there is any variable on the format ''myvar_#'', where # is one or several digits.
[https://opendatakit.org/ ODK] applies very few restrictions to field names and other inputs. Therefore, [[Master Dataset|datasets]] crated in ODK often contain '''variable''' names and labels that are not valid in [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]] and will cause an error when the '''dataset''' is imported into '''Stata'''. For example, ODK only requires that all '''variable''' names must be unique, and does not allow the use of a few special characters. The ODK syntax test on the [[SurveyCTO Server Management|SurveyCTO server]] tests for only these restrictions. <code>ietestform</code> performs some additional tests which ensure that the '''datasets''' are valid, and optimized for being imported in '''Stata'''.


If the variable ''myvar'' is in a nested repeat group (a repeat group inside a repeat group), then it is testing for ''myvar_#'', ''myvar_#_#'', ''myvar_#_#_#'' etc. for each level of nested repeat group, where # is one or several digits.
=== Stata-specific labels ===
<code>ietestform</code> returns a flag if your [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey form]] is not [[Questionnaire Programming|programmed]] to display [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]]-specific labels.
In SurveyCTO, for instance, you can [[SurveyCTO Programming|program]] your '''form''' to display questions in multiple languages. This is done by creating label columns named ''label:english'', ''label:swahili'', ''label:hindi'', and so on. You can then choose which language to use for labels when exporting the [[Master Dataset|dataset]] to '''Stata''' from SurveyCTO.


'''Technical special case:''' If the fields ''myvar'' and ''myvar_1'' are both in a non-nested repeat group then there will be no name conflict: the first iteration of both fields will generate the variables ''myvar_1'' and ''myvar_1_1'' since the variables from both fields are suffixed. These fields are still listed by this test as it may be confusing that the variable ''myvar_1'' is from the field ''myvar'' and not from ''myvar_1.’’
You can use the same feature to create '''Stata'''-specific labels, by adding a label language called ''label:stata''. You can obviously add and modify labels after importing the '''dataset''' to '''Stata''' as well. However, this is the simplest way to add '''Stata'''-specific labels. If this practice is not used, the data set may end up being incorrectly labeled, or require labor intensive re-labeling after importing to '''Stata'''. <code>ietestform</code> applies the same test on the ''choices'' sheet as well, to ensure that all labels in the ''choices'' sheet are optimized for importing into '''Stata'''.


===Stata Labels Columns===
=== Length of variable labels  ===
In SurveyCTO, you can program your form so that multiple languages can be displayed when filling in a form. This is done by creating label columns named ''label:english'', ''label:swahili'', ''label:hindi'' etc. When you export your data using SurveyCTO Sync you can choose which language you want to use for labels.
In [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]], there is a restriction on the length of '''variable''' labels. '''Variable''' labels in '''Stata''' cannot be longer than 80 characters, and '''Stata''' truncates '''variable''' labels that are longer. <code>ietestform</code> checks for this by listing all fields with entries in '''Stata's''' ''label'' column that are longer than 80 characters.


The same feature can be used to create Stata labels by adding a label language called ''label:stata''. Labels can obviously be added and modified once the data set has been imported to Stata. However, our experience is that this is the simplest way to add them; if this practice is not used, the data set is often not properly labeled.
=== Length of variable names ===
Similarly, [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]] also restricts the length of '''variable''' names to 32 characters. If the name is longer than that, '''Stata''' will either truncate the name, or replace the name with generic names like ''var1'', ''var2'', etc. if the truncated name is no longer unique. While you can make these changes in '''Stata''' as well, it is much easier to solve these issues before starting with the [[Primary Data Collection|data collection]]. <code>ietestform</code> therefore flags all fields with '''variable''' names longer than 32 characters.


If you do not use this practice, but still use SurveyCTO's Stata code for importing data sets to Stata, you will end up having the labels displayed in the questionnaire as labels for your Stata variable. While it is better than no labels, ''label:stata'' allows better variable labeling.  
=== Length of field names in repeat groups ===
With respect to field names in [[Repeat Groups and Rosters in SurveyCTO|repeat groups]], <code>ietestform</code> lists two kinds of fields in the report. Firstly, it  lists fields in '''repeat groups''' that have names that will be too long in the wide format after [[Exporting Analysis|exporting]] to [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]]. Secondly, it lists fields in '''repeat groups''' for which the risk of having names that are too long is high, but not certain.


====Survey Sheet Stata Labels====
It is important to remember that when you use the SurveyCTO-generated '''Stata'''
In Stata, there is a restriction that the variable label does not exceed 80 characters. If you apply a label longer than that, it will be truncated. For this reason, <code>ietestform</code> lists all fields with a label in the Stata label column that is longer than 80 characters.
'''do-file''', or export a [[Master Dataset|dataset]] in format, a suffix is automatically added to the '''variable''' names that are created inside '''repeat groups'''. For example, if a group of questions is repeated three times, the wide version of the resulting '''dataset''' will contain three '''variables''' for each question in the '''repeat group'''. Each of these three '''variables''' will have the same name, followed by 1, 2 and 3; that is, ''varname_1'', ''varname_2'', and ''varname_3''. Therefore, '''variables''' created inside
a single '''repeat group''' should not have a name that is longer than 30 characters so that final length is not longer than 32 characters.  


====Choice Sheet Stata Labels====
Similarly, if the field is in a nested '''repeat group''' (a '''repeat group''' inside another one), a suffix will be added once for each group. In this case, the actual restriction on the length that will be used by <code>ietestform</code> is given by this formula:
Apart from whether the ''label:stata'' exists or not, there is no further test on the values of the Stata label column in the choice sheet.
*32 − (2 × depth of nested repeats)
In this case, <code>ietestform</code> will list all '''variables''' that have names longer than the number given by this formula.  


===Leading and Trailing Spaces===
However, these restrictions assume that there are no more than 9 questions in each '''repeat group'''. If there were more than 9 questions, the suffixes would be 10, 11, etc., which take up three characters. For example, for the 10th question of a '''repeat group''', the '''variable''' name would be suffixed as ''varname_10''. In this case, <code>ietestform</code> lists all fields with names that are  longer than
In computer science, there is a difference between the string <code>"ABC"</code> and <code>"ABC "</code>. This difference does not show in Excel. When uploading your form to SurveyCTO's server, the form checker is programmed to handle these differences. However, when you import your form to Stata, as '''ietestform''' and several other commands does, these minor differences are distinguished.
*32 − (3 × depth of nested repeats).
This is an example of the second test, since it is is uncertain whether this will create an issue with names that are too long. However, if you think that field names are so long that they might be reported by this test, you may consider reducing the length of the field names.


For example, consider you have a list in the choice sheet called ''village,’’ but the actual content of the cell is <code>"village "</code>. In Excel you will not see this extra space unless you really look for it. This means that some tools, probably most of them, will treat this as <code>"village"</code>, but other tools might treat it as <code>"village "</code> which, when compared, are not the same.
===Repeat group naming conflicts ===


What would be even worse is if some list item in the ''village'' list has the list name value  <code>"village"</code> and some has the value  <code>"village "</code>. This is very difficult to spot in Excel but some tools might treat these as different.
<code>ietestform</code> also flags name conflicts that could result from repeat suffixes (like ''_1'', ''_2'') that are added to field names inside a [[Repeat Groups and Rosters in SurveyCTO|repeat group]]. The ODK syntax test in SurveyCTO checks whether field names are unique. For example, the names ''myvar'' and ''myvar_1'' are both unique according to the ODK syntax test. But if ''myvar'' appears as a '''variable''' in a '''repeat group''', it will appear with a repeat suffix as ''myvar_1'' for the answer to the first question in the '''repeat group'''. This will then create a name conflict with the '''variable''' named ''myvar_1'' which lies outside the '''repeat group'''.


Leading (<code>" ABC"</code>) or trailing (<code>"ABC "</code>) spaces are not difficult to deal with and most tools, '''iestestform''' included, deals with them. However there is no guarantee that all of them do. To reduce the risk of errors in whatever tools you use on your data in the future, leading and trailing spaces should be removed.
In such cases, <code>ietestform</code> flags all '''variables''' inside a '''repeat group''' that could possibly create such a naming conflict. For example, if there is a '''variable''' with the name ''myvar'', the command checks if there are any other '''variable''' names with the format ''myvar_#'',
where ''#'' is one or more digits. Similarly, if the '''variable''' ''myvar'' is in a nested '''repeat group''' (a '''repeat group''' inside another one), then <code>ietestform</code> checks for ''myvar_#'', ''myvar_#_#'' and so on.


==Tests for Choice List Practices==
'''Note:''' If the '''variables''' ''myvar''  and ''myvar_1'' are both in non-nested '''repeat groups''', there will be no naming conflicts. In this case, the repeat suffixes will generate ''myvar_1'' and ''myvar_1_1''. However, <code>ietestform</code> will still list these fields as it may be not be clear to someone going through the [[Master Dataset|dataset]] that ''myvar_1'' is from the field ''myvar'', and not from ''myvar_1''.
These tests are related to the choice lists used in select_one and in select_multiple types of fields. The ODK syntax is very lenient when it comes to choice lists, and it lets some undesirable practices to pass. For example, unused lists and duplicate labels could mean that the list elements were copied and pasted accidentally. The command reports this, as they are common sources for errors.


===Unused Choice Lists===
=== Leading and trailing spaces ===
This test makes sure that all lists defined in the choices list sheet are actually used in at least one select_one or select_multiple field in the survey sheet. It is not incorrect to have unused lists, but it is likely a sign of something that is not kept up to date in your choice lists and might therefore cause an error, an expected behavior, or list items not being displayed during the survey.
<code>ietestform</code> also reports any fields that have leading (" ABC") or trailing ("ABC ") spaces, as these can cause unexpected problems. For example, consider a list in the ''choice'' sheet called "village", but what is actually written is "village ". In Excel you will not see this extra space unless you look closely. While some tools will treat this as "village", others might treat it as "village ", which are not the same. <code>ietestform</code> will flag these fields so you can prevent such errors.


For example, imagine you have 10 villages in a choice list called ''village'' but you incorrectly type ''vilage'' for one of them. Then, according to ODK syntax you have two lists, one called ''village'' with 9 items and one called ''vilage'' with 1 item. It is unlikely that there is a select_one/select_multiple field that uses the choice list ''vilage,’’ so listing unused choice is a good way to spot a type like this one.
== Choice Lists ==


===Value/Name Numeric===
<code>ietestform</code> tests also deal with [[SurveyCTO Choice Lists|choice lists]], that is, lists that are created for ''select_one'' and ''select_multiple'' types of fields in the ''choices'' sheet on Excel. The ''choices'' sheet lists all response labels in a separate Excel sheet, along with corresponding integer values. The ODK syntax is very lenient when it comes to '''choice lists''' which are then translated into value labels in [[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]]. This can lead to a lot of errors such as typographical errors, missing values, and [[Duplicates and Survey Logs|duplicate values]] which affect the [[Master Dataset|datasets]] imported into '''Stata'''. <code>ietestform</code> flags issues like these that can arise due to coding errors in ODK-based platforms. For example, unused '''choice lists''' and '''duplicate''' labels could mean that the person [[SurveyCTO Coding Practices|coding]] the [[Survey Pilot|survey]] copied and pasted the elements of a list incompletely or incorrectly.
In Stata, categorical data is best and most efficiently stored as a number with a value label. The easiest way to ensure that is the case with data collected by SurveyCTO is to use the Stata data import file provided through SurveyCTO Sync. However, this file only works if the values in the value/name column in the choices sheet are numeric. It is not incorrect to use string variables here, but you will have to spend more time cleaning your dataset to follow Stata best practices. This test lists all list items that have a non-numeric value in the value/name column.


===Duplicated List Code===
=== Numeric value and name ===
This test makes sure that there are no duplicates in list names and codes in the choice sheet. This test lists all list items that have other list items with the same two values in the name and code columns.
[[Stata Coding Practices|Stata]] usually stores categorical data by assigning integer (numeric) values to string (alphabetical) labels. For example, this means assigning a value of "2" to "Yes", "1" to "No", and "0" to "Declined to answer".  


===Duplicated List Labels===
Although SurveyCTO allows string values for questions that have categorical responses, we recommend using integer labels instead. This is because string labels take up more memory, especially when importing large [[Master Dataset|datasets]], and many '''Stata''' functions that deal with categorical '''variables''' cannot handle string labels. <code>ietestform</code> therefore reports all list items that have a non-numeric value in the ''value'' or ''name'' column.
This test makes sure that there is no label in the same list that is identical (i.e. one label that is listed twice for the same choice list but with different codes). This test lists all list items that have other list items with the same two values in the name and label columns.


===Missing Labels or Value/Name in Choice Lists===
===Unused choice lists===
The first part of this test makes sure that there is no list item that has a value in the label column but no value in the value/name column. The second part of this test makes sure the opposite does not happen. This is extra likely to occur when a form is programmed in multiple languages. This test lists all list items caught by either if these two tests.
<code>ietestform</code> checks that all [[SurveyCTO Choice Lists|choice lists]] defined in the ''choices'' sheet are actually used in at least one ''select_one'' or ''select_multiple'' field in the [[Survey Pilot|survey]] sheet. While it is not incorrect to have some lists that are unused, it could still be a sign of '''choice lists''' that are not in sync with an updated version of the [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey form]]. In such cases, unused '''choice lists''' can cause errors, or contain items that will not be displayed during the '''survey'''.
 
For example, imagine you have 10 villages in a '''choice list''' called ''village'', but you incorrectly type ''vilage'' for one of them. Then, according to ODK syntax you will have two lists - one called ''village'' with 9 items, and one called ''vilage'' with 1 item. In this case, it is likely that there are no ''select_one'' or ''select_multiple'' fields that uses the '''choice list''' called ''vilage'', so <code>ietestform</code> is a good way to spot a typographical error like this.
 
=== Duplicate value and label ===
<code>ietestform</code> makes sure that there are no [[Duplicates and Survey Logs|duplicates]] in the names given to individual items in a [[SurveyCTO Choice Lists|choice list]] and the codes (under the ''value'' column) assigned to each item in the ''choices'' sheet. This test will list all items of the '''choice list''' that have the same two values under the ''name'' and ''value'' columns.
 
<code>ietestform</code> also makes sure that there is only one label in a given '''choice list''' for a given code. This test lists all list items that have the same two values in the ''name'' and ''label'' columns. For example, suppose that for the '''choice list''' called "village", "Village A"' and "Village B" both have the same code, that is, "1", under the ''code'' column. Then <code>ietestform</code> will list both "Village A" and "Village B" along with the name of the  '''choice list''', that is, "village".
 
===Missing label, value, or name ===
In the first part of this test, <code>ietestform</code> lists all items in a [[SurveyCTO Choice Lists|choice list]] that have an entry under the ''label'' column, but have nothing under the ''value'' or ''name'' column. In the second part of the test, it also lists cases where the exact opposite occurs. This can sometimes happen when the [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey form]] is [[Questionnaire Programming|programmed]] in multiple languages, or when the [[SurveyCTO Coding Practices|coding is incomplete]].
 
== Outdated Syntax ==
SurveyCTO updates their syntax of [https://docs.surveycto.com/02-designing-forms/01-core-concepts/09.expressions.html expressions] which tend to have advanced features compared with the previous versions of the syntax. It is recommended to use the latest syntax to ensure full functionality of the expression and avoid potential issues.
 
<code>ietestform</code> tests to make sure the latest syntax is being used in the survey form. This includes
 
# when the outdated syntax of ''position()'' is being used instead of the ''index()''
# when the outdated syntax of ''jr:choice-name()'' is being used instead of the ''choice-label()''
 
== Encryption ==
[https://dimewiki.worldbank.org/wiki/Encryption Encryption] of [[SurveyCTO Form Settings|survey forms]] is an integral part of reducing the risk of exposing confidential or [[Personally Identifying Information (PII)|personally identifiable data]]. You can learn how to [https://dimewiki.worldbank.org/wiki/Encryption#Encryption_with_SurveyCTO_Data encrypt your form] on SurveyCTO [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/blob/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-4-data-security/data-security-resources/surveycto-encryption-guidelines.md here].
 
== Related Pages ==
[[Special:WhatLinksHere/Ietestform|Click here for pages that link to this topic.]]<br>
This page is part of the topic <code>[[iefieldkit]]</code>.


== Back to Parent ==
This article is part of the topic [[Stata_Coding_Practices#iefieldkit|iefieldkit]]
==Additional Resources==
==Additional Resources==
*See other frameworks for testing ODK/SurveyCTO forms similarly to <code>ietestform</code>: [https://github.com/PovertyAction/ipacheckscto IPA's ipacheckscto] and [http://xform-test-docs.pma2020.org/ PMA2020's xform-test].
Other frameworks for testing '''ODK'''-based or '''SurveyCTO''' forms include:
*See the <code>iefieldkit</code> installation instructions [https://github.com/worldbank/iefieldkit here].
* IPA, <code>[https://github.com/PovertyAction/ipacheckscto ipacheckscto]</code>
* PMA2020, <code>[http://xform-test-docs.pma2020.org/ xform-test]</code>


[[Category: Stata ]]
[[Category: Stata ]]

Latest revision as of 22:20, 15 August 2023

DIME Analytics has created iefieldkit as a package in Stata to support the process of primary data collection from start to finish. In most cases, third party survey firms or local partners collect data on behalf of the research team. Therefore, data quality assurance is a particularly important aspect of data collection. ietestform allows the research team to test Open Data Kit (ODK)-based electronic survey forms for common errors, as well as best practices for SurveyCTO-based Form forms before field data collection starts. For example, the SurveyCTO server has a built-in test feature that tests the ODK syntax of a form when it is uploaded by the research team. ietestform complements these built-in tests to ensure that the collected data is in a format that is easily readable in Stata, and warns users who use practices we have learnt are prone to data quality errors.

Read First

  • Please refer to Stata coding practices for coding best practices in Stata.
  • ietestform is part of the package iefieldkit, which has been developed by DIME Analytics.
  • To install ietestform, as well as other commands in the iefieldkit package, type ssc install iefieldkit in Stata.
  • For instructions and available options, type help ietestform.

Overview

In Open Data Kit (ODK)-based electronic survey kits, including SurveyCTO, survey forms (or questionnaires) are typically built in Excel using a specialized structured syntax. Before the research team starts with field data collection, they can use ietestform to test ODK-based electronic survey forms for common errors, as well as best practices for SurveyCTO-based forms.

For example, the SurveyCTO server has a built-in feature that tests the ODK syntax of a form when it is uploaded by the research team. ietestform complements these built-in tests to ensure that the collected data is in a format that is easily readable in Stata, and warns users who use practices we have learnt are prone to data quality errors. Therefore, the ietestform command should be used after testing the survey form on a SurveyCTO server to make sure there are no syntax errors.

Syntax

The basic syntax for ietestform is as follows:

ietestform 
   , surveyform("filename.xlsx") 
     report("report.csv")

The ietestform command generates a report in .csv format. The report flags errors in coding, as well as practices that are not strictly wrong, but which may indicate bad practices, and therefore need a manual review. The report generated by ietestform can be displayed in a number of software applications, and can also be used with collaboration tools like GitHub.

If you think that the command incorrectly flagged issues in your SurveyCTO form, please report the case here to help DIME Analytics improve the command. Refer to the following sections for a detailed explanation of the tests performed by ietestform. These tests are meant to flag errors that may interrupt field work. Note that ietestform should be used only after the form has passed the ODK syntax checks on the SurveyCTO server.

Required Column

Required fields ensure that the enumerators cannot proceed without entering a response to a particular field (each question is a field). This prevents submissions of incomplete forms, and helps ensure that enumerators complete forms in the right order. A field is required if it has the "Yes" value in the required column.

It is common that respondents do not have an answer or do not want to share an answer to a question, but a missing value should never be used to represent such non-answers. Instead, the questionnaire should allow non-answers, for example, "I do not know" or "Decline to answer" as valid answers. Therefore, almost all fields should be required in an ODK survey while still being able to handle non-answers.

Note that only column types that show up when filling the form are affected by that value. For example, fields like begin_group, end_repeat, text_audit do not show up while filling the form, and so tests related to the required columns ignore these fields.

ietestform runs two tests related to the required columns depending on whether they are note type or non-note type. Fields which are of the note type are those for which the enumerator does not have to enter any input. Instead, the enumerator only needs to read out a specific text note.

Non-note fields: required

ietestform tests to make sure that all fields that are not of note type have the value "Yes" in the required column, that is, they are required. The final report then lists all those fields not of type note, but are not required.

Even when some type of non-response by a respondent, such as “Declined to answer”, is acceptable, there should always be a valid method to record the reason for no response. The enumerator should not leave the input field empty in this case. The absence of a recorded answer should only mean that the enumerator did not ask the question during the survey. In cases where it is acceptable to skip a question, you should use an appropriate relevance condition.

Fields that record GPS coordinates for instance, are some of the fields that may intentionally have a "No" value under the required column. Such fields often have their type as geopoint, geoshape, or geotrace. If you know that you will have no problem collecting GPS coordinates, then you should have a "Yes" value in the required column to ensure that you get valid data points.

However, if GPS coordinates are difficult to collect, then it might be a good idea to not have a "Yes" value under the required column. This will allow the enumerator to complete the other fields and submit the survey even if it is not possible to record GPS coordinates. In this case, ietestform will still report these fields, but you can still proceed with survey if it was an active decision you are happy with.

Note fields: not required

While fields of the note type can have a "Yes" value in the required column, they cannot record an input. Therefore, if an enumerator comes across such a field during a live survey , they cannot move past this field. In this case, there is no way to continue with the interview, and the enumerator will not be able to submit the data already collected from previous questions. ietestform therefore reports a list of all fields that are of the note type, and have a "Yes" value in the required column.

Remember that there are cases in which note fields which are required may be useful. Since enumerators cannot move past these fields, you may use them with a relevance condition so that these fields show up if an earlier entry in the form is incorrect. This will force the enumerator to go back and correct the error before continuing with the interview..

For example, enumerators often enter respondent IDs twice to make sure there is no typo in the ID. You may name the two entry fields id1 and id2. Then you can follow these fields with a required note field which has the relevance expression as ${id1} != ${id2}. In this case, the note type field will only appear if the two entries are not identical. You can use the note text to inform the enumerator that the two ID fields are not identical, and that the enumerator must go back and change the values in order to continue.

Matching begin_ and end_

The ietestform command checks that all begin_group fields are matched by an end_group, and that all begin_repeat fields are matched by an end_repeat. While the ODK syntax tester on the SurveyCTO server also tests for matching begin_ and end_ values, the ietestform command provides additional information that makes it faster and easier to solve this problem, especially when the survey form (or questionnaire) is very large.

For example, ODK does not require that the end_group and end_repeat fields should have field names (begin_group and begin_repeat are required to have names). This makes it difficult to identify where the error is in the underlying survey form. However, ietestform fills that gap because it requires also end_group and end_repeat fields should have names and that they should match the corresponding begin_group and begin_repeat field. ietestform lists these missing names in the report, along with the row number (in the Excel form) of other non-valid begin_ and end_ pairs.

For a begin_ and end_ pair to be considered valid by ietestform, the following three criteria must be met:

  1. For each begin_ field, there must be an end_ field.
  2. The corresponding end_ field must be of the correct type. That is, a begin_group should not be closed by an end_repeat, and a begin_repeat should not closed by an end_group.
  3. The names of the end_ fields must match the names of begin_ fields. The SurveyCTO server already tests to makes sure that the begin_ names are unique, so each begin_ and end_ pair will also be unique if this condition is met.

Naming and Labeling

ODK applies very few restrictions to field names and other inputs. Therefore, datasets crated in ODK often contain variable names and labels that are not valid in Stata and will cause an error when the dataset is imported into Stata. For example, ODK only requires that all variable names must be unique, and does not allow the use of a few special characters. The ODK syntax test on the SurveyCTO server tests for only these restrictions. ietestform performs some additional tests which ensure that the datasets are valid, and optimized for being imported in Stata.

Stata-specific labels

ietestform returns a flag if your survey form is not programmed to display Stata-specific labels. In SurveyCTO, for instance, you can program your form to display questions in multiple languages. This is done by creating label columns named label:english, label:swahili, label:hindi, and so on. You can then choose which language to use for labels when exporting the dataset to Stata from SurveyCTO.

You can use the same feature to create Stata-specific labels, by adding a label language called label:stata. You can obviously add and modify labels after importing the dataset to Stata as well. However, this is the simplest way to add Stata-specific labels. If this practice is not used, the data set may end up being incorrectly labeled, or require labor intensive re-labeling after importing to Stata. ietestform applies the same test on the choices sheet as well, to ensure that all labels in the choices sheet are optimized for importing into Stata.

Length of variable labels

In Stata, there is a restriction on the length of variable labels. Variable labels in Stata cannot be longer than 80 characters, and Stata truncates variable labels that are longer. ietestform checks for this by listing all fields with entries in Stata's label column that are longer than 80 characters.

Length of variable names

Similarly, Stata also restricts the length of variable names to 32 characters. If the name is longer than that, Stata will either truncate the name, or replace the name with generic names like var1, var2, etc. if the truncated name is no longer unique. While you can make these changes in Stata as well, it is much easier to solve these issues before starting with the data collection. ietestform therefore flags all fields with variable names longer than 32 characters.

Length of field names in repeat groups

With respect to field names in repeat groups, ietestform lists two kinds of fields in the report. Firstly, it lists fields in repeat groups that have names that will be too long in the wide format after exporting to Stata. Secondly, it lists fields in repeat groups for which the risk of having names that are too long is high, but not certain.

It is important to remember that when you use the SurveyCTO-generated Stata do-file, or export a dataset in format, a suffix is automatically added to the variable names that are created inside repeat groups. For example, if a group of questions is repeated three times, the wide version of the resulting dataset will contain three variables for each question in the repeat group. Each of these three variables will have the same name, followed by 1, 2 and 3; that is, varname_1, varname_2, and varname_3. Therefore, variables created inside a single repeat group should not have a name that is longer than 30 characters so that final length is not longer than 32 characters.

Similarly, if the field is in a nested repeat group (a repeat group inside another one), a suffix will be added once for each group. In this case, the actual restriction on the length that will be used by ietestform is given by this formula:

  • 32 − (2 × depth of nested repeats)

In this case, ietestform will list all variables that have names longer than the number given by this formula.

However, these restrictions assume that there are no more than 9 questions in each repeat group. If there were more than 9 questions, the suffixes would be 10, 11, etc., which take up three characters. For example, for the 10th question of a repeat group, the variable name would be suffixed as varname_10. In this case, ietestform lists all fields with names that are longer than

  • 32 − (3 × depth of nested repeats).

This is an example of the second test, since it is is uncertain whether this will create an issue with names that are too long. However, if you think that field names are so long that they might be reported by this test, you may consider reducing the length of the field names.

Repeat group naming conflicts

ietestform also flags name conflicts that could result from repeat suffixes (like _1, _2) that are added to field names inside a repeat group. The ODK syntax test in SurveyCTO checks whether field names are unique. For example, the names myvar and myvar_1 are both unique according to the ODK syntax test. But if myvar appears as a variable in a repeat group, it will appear with a repeat suffix as myvar_1 for the answer to the first question in the repeat group. This will then create a name conflict with the variable named myvar_1 which lies outside the repeat group.

In such cases, ietestform flags all variables inside a repeat group that could possibly create such a naming conflict. For example, if there is a variable with the name myvar, the command checks if there are any other variable names with the format myvar_#, where # is one or more digits. Similarly, if the variable myvar is in a nested repeat group (a repeat group inside another one), then ietestform checks for myvar_#, myvar_#_# and so on.

Note: If the variables myvar and myvar_1 are both in non-nested repeat groups, there will be no naming conflicts. In this case, the repeat suffixes will generate myvar_1 and myvar_1_1. However, ietestform will still list these fields as it may be not be clear to someone going through the dataset that myvar_1 is from the field myvar, and not from myvar_1.

Leading and trailing spaces

ietestform also reports any fields that have leading (" ABC") or trailing ("ABC ") spaces, as these can cause unexpected problems. For example, consider a list in the choice sheet called "village", but what is actually written is "village ". In Excel you will not see this extra space unless you look closely. While some tools will treat this as "village", others might treat it as "village ", which are not the same. ietestform will flag these fields so you can prevent such errors.

Choice Lists

ietestform tests also deal with choice lists, that is, lists that are created for select_one and select_multiple types of fields in the choices sheet on Excel. The choices sheet lists all response labels in a separate Excel sheet, along with corresponding integer values. The ODK syntax is very lenient when it comes to choice lists which are then translated into value labels in Stata. This can lead to a lot of errors such as typographical errors, missing values, and duplicate values which affect the datasets imported into Stata. ietestform flags issues like these that can arise due to coding errors in ODK-based platforms. For example, unused choice lists and duplicate labels could mean that the person coding the survey copied and pasted the elements of a list incompletely or incorrectly.

Numeric value and name

Stata usually stores categorical data by assigning integer (numeric) values to string (alphabetical) labels. For example, this means assigning a value of "2" to "Yes", "1" to "No", and "0" to "Declined to answer".

Although SurveyCTO allows string values for questions that have categorical responses, we recommend using integer labels instead. This is because string labels take up more memory, especially when importing large datasets, and many Stata functions that deal with categorical variables cannot handle string labels. ietestform therefore reports all list items that have a non-numeric value in the value or name column.

Unused choice lists

ietestform checks that all choice lists defined in the choices sheet are actually used in at least one select_one or select_multiple field in the survey sheet. While it is not incorrect to have some lists that are unused, it could still be a sign of choice lists that are not in sync with an updated version of the survey form. In such cases, unused choice lists can cause errors, or contain items that will not be displayed during the survey.

For example, imagine you have 10 villages in a choice list called village, but you incorrectly type vilage for one of them. Then, according to ODK syntax you will have two lists - one called village with 9 items, and one called vilage with 1 item. In this case, it is likely that there are no select_one or select_multiple fields that uses the choice list called vilage, so ietestform is a good way to spot a typographical error like this.

Duplicate value and label

ietestform makes sure that there are no duplicates in the names given to individual items in a choice list and the codes (under the value column) assigned to each item in the choices sheet. This test will list all items of the choice list that have the same two values under the name and value columns.

ietestform also makes sure that there is only one label in a given choice list for a given code. This test lists all list items that have the same two values in the name and label columns. For example, suppose that for the choice list called "village", "Village A"' and "Village B" both have the same code, that is, "1", under the code column. Then ietestform will list both "Village A" and "Village B" along with the name of the choice list, that is, "village".

Missing label, value, or name

In the first part of this test, ietestform lists all items in a choice list that have an entry under the label column, but have nothing under the value or name column. In the second part of the test, it also lists cases where the exact opposite occurs. This can sometimes happen when the survey form is programmed in multiple languages, or when the coding is incomplete.

Outdated Syntax

SurveyCTO updates their syntax of expressions which tend to have advanced features compared with the previous versions of the syntax. It is recommended to use the latest syntax to ensure full functionality of the expression and avoid potential issues.

ietestform tests to make sure the latest syntax is being used in the survey form. This includes

  1. when the outdated syntax of position() is being used instead of the index()
  2. when the outdated syntax of jr:choice-name() is being used instead of the choice-label()

Encryption

Encryption of survey forms is an integral part of reducing the risk of exposing confidential or personally identifiable data. You can learn how to encrypt your form on SurveyCTO here.

Related Pages

Click here for pages that link to this topic.
This page is part of the topic iefieldkit.

Additional Resources

Other frameworks for testing ODK-based or SurveyCTO forms include: