•  Can OnTraq import Triple S data tidily?

•  OnTraq's import of Triple S data automatically generates for you a set of tabulations and a free database for DIY analysis in Reflect.

•  Can variables be generated so that the data is analysed in the way I want?

OnTraq allows you to build your own variables, so that you can meet your own analysis requirements. A table is automatically generated.

•  Questionnaire Definition

•  How easy Is it to define the contents of a questionnaire?

It is just like filling in a spreadsheet with all the project's details. In one sheet, you have a list of all the questions with their titles etc. In other sheets, you enter the labels for each question. It is a simple as that. Click here to view an example of an OnTraq workbook .

•  How long does it take to take learn how to use OnTraq?

To learn the basics of OnTraq takes about 2-3 hours assuming you have an understanding of a questionnaire and analysis requirements. This means that new users can be productive quickly.

•  What if my needs are repetitive?

Productivity can be further improved by building routines that may be called at any time. For example, let's say you regularly want to produce a summary of mean scores from a rating scale. You would need to program this once - then, you can re-use the subroutine without the minimum of effort.

•  Tabulations

•  Are tables automatically generated?

For every question that you enter, a table is automatically generated, unless you tell OnTraq not to produce it. You can analyse each question by data from any other questions or variables.

•  Can I produce summary tables?

Again, OnTraq can automatically generate summary tables for you. You can also customise OnTraq to produce any special summaries you require.

•  Can I produce other crosstabs and analyses?

You can analyse the data how you want. Sometimes, if your requirements are particularly complex, you may wish to make use of the MRDCL Command Language which is accessible from OnTraq, but it is seldom essential to do this

•  Exporting Data

•  Can OnTraq export to Triple S?

OnTraq has all the tools you need to export all or some of your variables to Triple S.

•  Can an OnTraq project be reanalysed using Reflect?

Any project can be output to Reflect for reanalysis. Reflect is free to use and distribute. Click here to download.

•  Can OnTraq output data for SPSS, SAS and other programs?

Some MR programs do allow you to use the Triple S data interchange. OnTraq has an export to SPSS and SAS. Links to other programs may require some set up work in that program if they cannot use the Triple S format.

•  Can I output or list data to Excel, for example

Listing all or part of your data to Excel is easy to do. Outputs are in comma separated value format (CSV) making it easy to handle for most other software or databases.

•  Building Systems Around Ontraq

•  Why do I need OnTraq when MRDCL handles analysis?

OnTraq stores all of your project information in spreadsheets, so that it is easy to work with. It is ideal for simple or continuous projects as it is easy to view the contents of your project and make changes.

•  Why would I want to build a system around OnTraq?

You may regularly use data from a particular program, such as a questionnaire design or web data collection program. OnTraq offers a tidy way to store all that information by building a simple bridge. Similarly, if you regularly want to export data to Excel, for example, you could program in a special requirement, which could then be automatically called for future projects.

•  Is there any limit to how much OnTraq is customised?

Not really. The whole design of OnTraq is to allow you to develop simple systems that improve productivity substantially. Adding extra tasks around the OnTraq framework often needs little expertise. Ask us for help!

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•  Fully featured program allowing users to be produce exact output requirements

•  Can MRDCL handle Triple- S data?

OnTraq can import Triple-S data so that it is automatically prepared for use by MRDCL. A full MRDCL specification is automatically generated.

•  Can MRDCL read from more than one data stream?

Yes, MRDCL has all the tools you need to read data for more than once source. For example, survey data and data from a customer database.

•  Defining variables

•  Can MRDCL handle all types of data?

MRDCL can handle most common data types. These include single variables (e.g. gender), multiple response variables (e.g. which of these brands have you ever bought?), integers (e.g. what age are you in years?), real numbers (e.g. how many litres of petrol did you buy today?), characters (e.g. what was the airport code you departed from?), dates (what date did you last have this illness?).

The language used to define these variables keeps to a small number of rules that allow flexible variable definitions.

•  Can MRDCL analyse data as I want it?

Yes, MRDCL has a complete set of tools to combine codes together or analyse data how you want. You are not restricted by the way the data was collected.

•  Can MRDCL read from spreadsheets?

The unique design of MRDCL enables you to take data from spreadsheets, such as product lists, code frames or other instructions or controls.

•  Is the language hard to learn?

Whilst there is some learning needed, the language conforms to a logical style, making it easy to advance.

•  Tabulations

•  Can MRDCL do anything more than simple cross tabs

Yes, MRDCL can help you produce any table you need. You can print this as a paper table or export it to Excel for charting or reporting.

•  Can I filter data?

Producing filtered tables or 3-dimensional tables is easy in MRDCL.

•  Can I weight data?

Yes, MRDCL has tools to weight data how you want using target, rim or factor weighting techniques.

•  Can I lay tables out how I wish?

There are around 200 options that help you to show data how you need it. These include options for statistical tests, page layout and percentaging options. Whatever you want, MRDCL can do it

•  Pre Processor

•  What is the pre-processor?

The pre-processor is a language within MRDCL that allows you to write repetitive code in a shorthand form. For example, if you want 20 similar tables from 20 similar rating statements, the pre-processor can simplify the task. So, you never need to copy and paste code, you can use easily managed shorthand tools that make changes and additions easy.

•  Why do I need it?

Entering or maintaining repetitive code is prone to error, can be time-consuming to change and inefficient. Using the pre-processor enables you to be productive in handling complex repetitive tasks.

•  How far can it go?

The pre-processor is a highly powerful tool. It can be used to read information directly from an Access database or Excel spreadsheet. It can contain instructions that control analysis runs or lists that can automatically change if driven by another system. In short, sophisticated automated techniques can be put in place for a fraction of the normal cost.

•  Ontraq

•  Why do I need OnTraq when MRDCL handles analysis?

OnTraq is an ideal for simpler projects or projects that have multiple data sets, such as tracking studies or multi-country projects. It enables you to process data from different questionnaires that have some measure of commonality.

•  Where does OnTraq score?

Where there are questionnaire differences or where you wish to use a less skilled member of staff to prepare much of a project's analysis without using or learning the command language.

•  Why do I need MRDCL when I can use OnTraq?

MRDCL has excellent tools for processing complex analysis. However, you can access MRDCL from an OnTraq project .

•  Exports

•  Can I get data into other MR packages?

MRDCL allows you to export data to SPSS, SAS, Quantum or Triple S. Triple S is the industry's standard for transferring project metadata between packages. Click here for a list of companies that are linked to the Triple-S format.

•  Can I output data as texts?

Yes, you can output data as texts or codes, producing a map. You can select which variables to export.

•  Can I transfer a project to OnTraq?

Yes, you can output data as texts or codes, producing a map. You can select which variables to export.

•  And if I want something more complicated?

TheMRHub works with MRDCL to allow you complete flexibility for the import and export of data. Click here to find out more about TheMRHub.

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•  Does Report Direct only produce charts?

No, you can also produce PowerPoint tables as well as charts.

•  Does Report Direct paste Excel pictures into PowerPoint?

No, the charts produced are ‘proper' PowerPoint charts. They are just the same in appearance as if you have typed in the figures yourself.

•  Does Report Direct lose the figures its charting if the tables change order/layout?

No, Report Direct links back to the texts in tables. First of all, it identifies the table and base title of the table it is using for the chart/table and then it links into the texts used on to the tables. This means that if the table changes position in the output file or the rows change order, for example, Report Direct will re-map automatically to the table source.

•  What does Report Direct do if a table or row that is charted is missing?

When a source file changes, Report Direct will offer you the option to run a report of anything that it can no longer find. This may be a whole table or, perhaps, one row of a table. In the report, it will tell which things it cannot locate. Then, you can run an interactive session where you can re-select tables, rows, columns or delete/hide your redundant charts. If you wish, you can miss out the report stage.

•  How does Report Direct know when to update its presentations?

Report Direct works on the date stamps of the file(s) that are supplying the figures for the tables and charts. If the timestamp changes, Report Direct will automatically go into an update mode, unless you override it. Also, you can choose to force an update on your presentation – this may be useful if you are preparing repeat presentations for different data sets.

•  What if I get my tables files confused, can I destroy my whole presentation?

Well, yes you could! However, Report Direct keeps an archive system of your files, so that if you were to feed a presentation with the wrong data and then accidentally deleted all the charts, you could return to the same point easily.

•  Does Report Direct allow me to chart figures or percentages?

Yes, you can choose between figures and percentages, as well as re-percentaging on the rows selected for, say, brand share amongst the top 5 brands.

•  Can Report Direct choose all rows above a given percentage?

Yes, Report Direct has tools to pick the highest rows amongst those selected or figures or percentages above a named value. You could, for example, set a chart to show the top 5 brands or all brands above 20% awareness.

•  How can I use chart templates in Report Direct

There are several ways you can do this. You can paste a template from a ‘dummy' presentation into your Report Direct presentation and then update it by linking to the figures you wish to chart. Alternatively, you could have a second presentation open that has hyperlinks which copy the style required to clipboard so that you can paste into your presentation.

•  Will a client, for example, know that I have used Report Direct to prepare a presentation?

No, not unless you tell them! The file will appear as a normal PowerPoint file. Even if your client had Report Direct they would not be able to know unless you supplied them with the specifications file and the tables files that support the presentation.

•  Compatibility

•  Is Report Direct compatible with all MRDC products?

Yes, whether you use OnTraq Professional, OnTraq Small Business Edition or MRDCL, the files that they use products produce are all the same and, therefore, compatible with Report Direct.

•  Is Report Direct compatible with other products?

It is compatible with most other products – specifically those that produce tables in Excel or CSV format or most text formats. You do need a utility called RDParse to convert your files to Report Direct format – this is a simple operation that takes a few seconds to run. Report Direct can also be used with exports from Winyaps.

•  Technical

•  How does Report Direct work?

As you specify your charts using Report Direct's easy menu system, the program stores a specification of the source and the selections you have made. This specification is based on text, so that if tables change, Report Direct will automatically search for the same texts when re-drawing the charts. This means that tables may change order and Report Direct will find the relevant figures by searching for table titles and rows/columns within those tables.

Report Direct knows when to update presentations by logging the timestamps of the files containing the data. If any of the files feeding data to the charts/presentation change or are updated, Report Direct will automatically go into an update mode.

•  Is the Report Direct specification file easy to understand?

The specifications for your presentations are stored in an Excel file. These can be hidden from the user or can be actually edited in Excel. The specifications are easy to understand and offer users alternative way to prepare repetitive requirements.

•  Can Report Direct generate charts from a specification file?

Yes, by generating the specifications either through software or manually, Report Direct will allow you to import the chart specifications to automatically generate charts.

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•  Will the data always match my original tables?

Generally, you can be sure that your results will be identical, as OnTraq and MRDCL are using the same database to produce tabulations as Reflect is using. There are some simple guidelines that providers of Reflect files should adhere. The data in Reflect is locked insofar that the user cannot change individual records and can be prevented from producing analyses on bases of less than a specified base. Extra care is needed with hierarchical studies where preparation of the database has to be carried out with more rules than a single level project.

•  How much training will research execs or clients need to use Reflect?

Generally, someone with a basic understanding of market research and tabulation should be able to get started immediately. To carry out more complex analyses, specifying complex variables does require the user to have more knowledge – either by reading documentation or training, but doing the basic crosstabs with simple filters is easily achieved.

•  Can I export data from Reflect to other software?

You can export data to SPSS, SAS, Quantum etc as well as outputting tables to Excel. Reflect also produces files compatible with Report Direct and Tables Direct.

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•  What if I want to apply different styles to the same type of table component?

You can have multiple formats for rows, columns, statistics and headings. For example, you might want alternate rows to appear in red and blue for as many rows as the table happens to be. You merely specify the ‘repeat' pattern in your style sheet and this is then used. For statistics, you can use similar techniques or format each specific statistic type differently. For example, mean scores could appear in blue, whilst standard deviations appear in green. Every font, pitch, emboldening feature etc supported by Excel is available to you.

•  How difficult are new styles to prepare?

Creating a new style may take a little while to get exactly right, but using the templates that are provided with the software, it is easy to copy one of the examples and adapt them.

•  What happens with page overflows that may change due to the formatting?

Tables Direct looks after this for you. Tables Direct re-pages everything to into account the fonts and pitch sizes that you may be using.

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