Open answers file (O-file)

NIPO Fieldwork System Version 1.14

Open answers file (O-file)

The open-ended answers file (O-file) contains the answers to all open ended and semi-open questions. For each open answer that is actually asked to the respondent, one record (line) is written in the file so several records are stored for each interview (respondent). The amount of records depends on the routing and the number of open-ended questions in the questionnaire. The length of the records is unfixed, and can be as long as the open answer that was entered. The first positions (fields) in each record are reserved for the system.

Record description of the open answers file (default format)

position	Length	Description

1-8	8	interview number
9-10	2	sub-questionnaire number
11-15	5	starting position answer field in U-file
16-18	3	length reserved answer field in U-file
19-...	(depending on 16-18)	corresponding answer code number (or blank)
(depending on 19, etc.)		text of open answer

In cases where the amount of positions used for a single open-ended answer is larger than 999, the O-file record format is extended:

Record description of the open answers file (extended format)

position	Length	Description
1-8	8	interview number
9-10	2	sub-questionnaire number
11	1	Contains * to indicate the record is extended
12-21	10	starting position answer field in U-file
22-31	10	length reserved answer field in U-file
32-...	(depending on 22-31)	corresponding answer code number (or blank)
(depending on 32, etc.)		text of open answer

Note that the extended O-file format may be recognized by a star in position 11.