NDAR Data Structure Mapping Instructions

1http://ndar.nih.gov

NDAR Data Dictionary | Data Structure Mapping

NDAR Data DictionaryData Structure Definition:Creating a Mapping File

Create a mapping file if your local data structurehas already been defined and published in theNDAR Data Dictionary.

For help, contact [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Before we begin, let’s define some terms…

Data Element – A “variable” or “field” with documented attributes that establish a consistent format for recording research data

NDAR Data Dictionary – A compendium of data elements

NDAR Data Structure – A group of data elements published by name in the NDAR Data Dictionary e.g., the ADI-R is published in the NDAR Data Dictionary

as “Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised - (ADI-R) - (2003)” and contains 406 associated data elements

Local Data Structure – A group of data elements defined at the research site



Let’s start with a typical scenario…

A small research team has been using the ADI-R for two years. The team records and maintains data in a spreadsheet for all of the 406 assessment items.

As a data capture system, the spreadsheet meets the needs of this small team. They’ve never needed to develop a codebook, which would have required them to define and document the format and attributes for the research data.

Eight new participants have consented to share data with NDAR. The data submission cycle is fast approaching.

What does the research team do?



What does the research team do?

Create a mapping file to specify the relationship between their local data structure for the ADI-R and the NDAR data structure for the ADI-R. The mapping file provides a direct link from the local

data element name to the NDAR data element name. This allows NDAR to understand that the two data elements are

the same even though they may have different names. When the researchers submit their data, NDAR will use

the value ranges that have already been defined in the NDAR data structure to validate their data.

This process only needs to be completed one time.



How do I create a mapping file?

1. Locate the desired NDAR data structure on the NDAR Web site. The NDAR Web site provides a current list of data structures

published to the NDAR Data Dictionary.

2. View and download the list of data elements contained in the NDAR data structure.

3. Copy only the NDAR data element names and paste them into a new spreadsheet.

4. Enter each of your local data element names next to its corresponding NDAR data element name.

5. Save the mapping relationship to an XML file.



Can you show me an example?

In this example, we’ll generate a mapping file for 4 data elements contained in the NDAR ADI-R. These 4 data elements are required in every data

submission to NDAR.

Let’s begin.



Example

1. Locate the desired NDAR data structure on the NDAR Web site. Go to http://ndar.nih.gov. Click on the “Tools” tab in the menu.



Example

1. Locate the desired NDAR data structure on the NDAR Web site. Click on the “NDAR Data Structures” link.



Example

2. View and download the list of data elements contained in the NDAR data structure. Click on the desired data structure (in our example, the ADI-R).



Example

2. View and download the list of data elements contained in the NDAR data structure. Download the CSV file.



3. Copy only the NDAR data element names and paste them into a new spreadsheet.

Example



4. Enter each of your local data element names next to its corresponding NDAR data element name.

Example

Your Local Data StructureElementName

NDAR Data StructureElementName



Example

5. Save the mapping relationship to an XML file. Ensure that the file follows this format:

<?xml version="1.0" ?> <map_file> <map_structure name="adi_200301"> <map_element alias="NDAR_GUID" ndar="subjectkey" /> <map_element alias="ID" ndar="src_subject_id" /> <map_element alias="test_date" ndar="interview_date" /> <map_element alias="subject_age" ndar="interview_age" /> </map_structure> </map_file>



5. Save the mapping relationship to an XML file Ensure that the file follows this format:


Example

How do I derive themap_structure name?



5. Save the mapping relationship to an XML file Ensure that the file follows this format. Use the NDAR Data Structure Short Name and Version.


Example



5. Save the mapping relationship to an XML file. Find the Short Name and Version on the NDAR Web site.

Example



Questions & Answers

What do I do with my completed XML mapping files? Send your mapping files to [email protected] with a

request to publish them to the NDAR Data Dictionary.

What if I have multiple clinical assessments? Generate a mapping file for each clinical assessment.

What if I can’t find a matching data structure in the NDAR Data Dictionary? Use the NDAR Data Structure Definition Template to define a

data structure for your data submission.http://ndar.nih.gov/ndarpublicweb/Documents/NDAR_Data_Structure_Definition_Template.xls



NDAR Technical Assistance

E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http//:ndar.nih.gov

Standard Operating Procedures (Policy & Procedures page) Webinars (Training page) Online Tutorials (Training page, Spring 2010)

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schedules, meetings and special events NDAR Data: Timely technical updates, system releases, new

data structures, data management-related tools and trainings Demonstration Environment: http://ndardemo.nih.gov

Request an Account Practice setting up data structures and submitting test data