topic Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer? in Discussions

Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

SignAntelope698 — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:48:43 GMT

Hello! I have a dataset with columns Q2_1 to Q2_7, each representing different demographic categories. Each row corresponds to a participant's selection of answers. For example, Q2_1 might represent White/Caucasian, Q2_2 might represent Black or African American, and so on. I need to create a new column that indicates if a specific demographic (e.g., White) was selected but another demographic (e.g., Black) was not. How can I accomplish this in my data analysis?

I have been trying this one, but it doesnt work:

Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

jthi — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:00:54 GMT

What goes wrong with your implementation? Are your Q columns numeric or character? You are comparing to characters which would indicate that they are character columns. Can you provide small subset of your data?

Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

SignAntelope698 — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:20:31 GMT

What is depicted in the picture the recoded columns. They've been recoded as binary values:
0 means the participant did not select that demographic
1 means the participant did select that demographic.
I also have the original columns which contain the full demographic labels as text (e.g., 'White/Caucasian', 'Black or African American').

Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

jthi — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:57:52 GMT

Are they numbers or strings? As in are you comparing numbers to strings which would make your comparisons to always fail

Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

hogi — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 20:11:45 GMT

To find it out, please open the column manager and check the data type:

for numeric columns, you have to compare with numbers - without the " "

Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

SignAntelope698 — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:33:51 GMT

Thank you, I tried taking those out since they're numeric but it didn't work.

Re: Multiple selection answers each seperated by column, how to isolate one answer?

txnelson — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 23:16:36 GMT

Would you please attach a sample data table. That will really help.