How do I recode Open End responses? (Power Surveys)

There are two options to recode Open End responses:

1. Create a recode under the Questionnaire tab in Power Survey Authoring.
2. Recode the data exported data from your Open End question outside the application and import the recoded values back into a hidden question.
   Note: Imports should only be run for members that have been invited to a study. Otherwise, the import will automatically mark the members as completed.

Example

You are asking members to enter their favorite fruit in an Open End question Q_FavoriteFruit. For reporting purposes you would like to analyze how many people responded banana or apple.

Detailed Steps

Option 1: Recode the question in Power Survey Authoring

1. Go to the References and Recodes section of the Questionnaire Tree.
2. Right-click on the study name and select Add recode and name it.
3. Add the required answer options to your recode.
   Using the above mentioned example those should be banana and apple.
4. Click the filter icon next to the first answer option.
5. Add the Open End question (double click) you want to recode.
6. Go to the Include tab and set up your condition(s).
   Note:
   • They should look like this: Q_FavoriteFruit IS banana.
   • You might have to add more conditions to account for different or wrong spellings etc.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 for the remaining answer options.

You can now use the newly created recode for reports and exports.

Option 2: Recode the question outside the application

Create the hidden question

1. Click on the Questionnaire tab.
2. Create a Single Choice question.
3. Click Answer Text and enter recode values (Example: banana and apple).
4. Click Save.
5. Right-click on the question name under the Questionnaire Tree and select Hide.

Export survey data

1. Click the Exports tab.
2. Enter a name for the export.
3. Click OK.
4. Enter a password.
5. Click Run Export.

Recode the question

1. Extract the zip file you downloaded.
2. Open the export file as well as the dictionary file.
3. Remove any columns from the file that aren't required.
   Those should leave you with the columns for PanelistIDQuestion, your open end and the hidden question.
4. Add precodes to the hidden question column corresponding with the precode values from the dictionary file.
5. Save the file as a .CSV type.

Import the recoded data

1. Click the Imports tab of the study.
2. Click New Import.
3. Enter the name for the import file.
4. Click Browse to upload the saved file.
5. Click Add or Remove Questions To Map To.
6. Right-click on any questions that aren't required and select Delete.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Next Step.
9. If all questions line up for the Incoming File and the Questions to Match to, click Run Import.

The hidden question with the recoded values will now be available for reports and exports.

More Information

Please click on the WebHelp links below for more information:

• Recodes
• Export data
• Import data