Field management
Initiation of a project
Required pound statements
In addition to the definition of questions, a CallWeb questionnaire script must include the following three pound statements:
Physical installation of the questionnaire script file
The physical installation of a CallWeb project requires that the questionnaire script file:
Each CallWeb project creates the following files:
Questionnaire compilation
Once a questionnaire is sufficiently complete (still subject to tests and modifications) and uploaded to the Web server, the cw script is used to activate various functions.
Compilation requires the script name. Six options are available:
The compilation produces a wealth of information which should be studied carefully. Compilation errors are highlighted using the .ERREUR style found in the style.css file and located at the top of the compilation report.
If compilation errors are found, no change is made to the compiled questionnaire or to the response data base.
Compilation may also produce "warnings". Warning messages are elements of information of particular interest that are not errors per se but that could potentially be considered problematic. They include:
Questionnaire comparison
cwCompare can be used to help identify the structural differences between two versions of the same questionnaire. Both versions must be compiled and reside on the same server. cwCompare does not compare the text of the questionnaire — only the structural components (skips, question types, etc.).
Data prepopulation
Once the questionnaire has compiled without error, data may be forced into the data base. This is called prepopulating the data base. This must be used to create access codes in fully controlled data collections. Prepopulation can also be used to insert information about people who will complete the questionnaire, in a controlled-access context; these data can then be used in the course of the data collection.
Prepopulation can be done on an empty CallWeb data base or cases may be added to an existing data base.
Prepopulation data are supplied in a file with the following characteristics:
This file must be uploaded to the Web server and located in the same directory as the questionnaire script file for the project.
To assure the preservation of prepopulated data in all circumstances (include case reinitialization), use the NEVERUPDATE keyword on the question name line of the questions in which data are imported.
In the cw integrated interface, cwprepop can be called by selecting the project name and the name of the tab-delimited data file from drop-down lists.
The cwprepop module can also be used to add data into existing cases (or replace existing data) if the "replace variables" button is selected instead of the "add cases" button in the cw interface. In this context, a value of "--" does not replace the pre-existing value.
Generation of random test data
Once the questionnaire has compiled without error, test data can be randomly generated to verify that the logical conditions of the script work as expected. The script cwgen performs this function. It can be used in two manners:
Each question in the questionnaire is scanned for each case and a random answer is selected for close-ended questions and for open-end parts. Skips, calculations, no-answer questions, etc. are honoured; matrix texts and Test pound instructions are not — and a list of these oversights is produced upon completing the random generation of data.
CallWeb aborts the random generation process if it reaches what appears to be an infinite loop.