The Researcher’s Toolkit: Mastering Survey Data Export and Conversion

Understanding the nuances of data formats and conversion tools is important when conducting survey research. Depending on the types of analyses being considered, certain formats are more suitable for data porting than others.

There are plenty of data collection options today given the increasing amount of DIY and agile research being conducted. By becoming familiar with the exports available as well as other utilities that can assist in data conversions, solutions that are efficient and cost-effective can be identified.

The first step is to be sure your data collection platform has export options that can easily be imported into your analytical software. Common types of analyses used to derive insights from your data include –

·      Cross tabulations

·      Visualizations

·      Multivariate analyses

·      Dashboards

·      Predictive analyses

·      Segmentation

Commonly used formats for exporting –

·      .csv/.xls

·      SPSS (.sav)

·      Triple S

·      ASCII with corresponding data layout/map

·      JSON

There are also many data conversion tools and utilities available, including –

·      Circle System’s StatTransfer

·      Triple S

·      Pandas (Python library)

·      MS Power Query

·      Open-source tools (OpenRefine, R)

Vista Research can help you navigate through the complexities of survey data processing to unlock valuable insights that drive informed decisions. Connect with us to explore how our expertise can elevate your survey research projects to the next level.


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Does your organization conduct survey research using particular platforms and analytical software?

Let’s discuss how we can collectively enhance our understanding and application of market research data.