How to Back Code Variables in Displayr

Introduction

Back coding , also known as up coding, refers to situations where a question contains one or more Other specify options and there is a need to allocate these responses into the original code frame (and, as appropriate, create new responses).

For example, if you ask someone their race and they answer "Other" rather than White, Black, Asian, etc. in some instances, it may be possible to backcode the variable rather than leaving them in the "other" category.

Requirements

A text variable that you wish to back code (i.e., which contains the other specify responses).

Method

Back coding using Displayr's coding tools

Back coding is done as follows:

In the Data Sets tree select the text variable that you wish to back code (i.e., which contains the other specify responses).
Click the to the right of the variable, and select Insert Variable(s) > Text Categorization > Manual (or Semi-Automatic) > Manual Overlapping Categories > New.
Manual categorization automatically creates an additional category on the right called New Category that we don't need. Before we begin, we will delete that category.
On the right, right-click New Category and select Delete

Now we will proceed with backcoding the Race - other variable.
At the bottom of the dialog, click the Inputs and Back Coding... button
In the Categorization Input dialog, from the Corresponding back coding variables menu, select the variable containing the codes you want to use, which in this example is Race and click OK.

You will see the following message:
Click OK.

The original codes are on the left, and the codes you want to reassign them to are on the right.
Select a category on the left you want to back code, click the category on the right that you want to move it to, and then click the Categorize as button. . In this example, we will move Caucasion into the White category.
Repeat the process until you are reassigned as many values as you can.
Click Save Categories to save the results to a new variable. In this example, the new variable is named Race - other - Categorized
Drage the new variable onto a Page to take a look at the results.

Notice that the number of Whites has increased from 1,547 to 1,551.