Data analysis systems ask users to do at least three things: input information, describe how the information is to be analyzed, and, when ready, signal that the analysis should start.

 

There are always some constraints on how things are to be done. Lertap 5 is no exception; it uses Excel to accomplish much of its work, but not just any Excel workbook will meet Lertap's requirements.

 

Lertap wants its Excel workbook to have a worksheet named Data. This is where the answers respondents have given to test or survey items are recorded. Lertap wants its description of how the information is to be analyzed to be expressed as lines in another worksheet, one named CCs.

 

The Data and CCs worksheets are referred to as "primary" worksheets. It's the information from these two worksheets that enables Lertap to go about the business of creating its output: the various reports found in worksheets such as Stats1f, Stats1b, and Scores -- these worksheets are referred to as "secondary" worksheets.  Users create the primary worksheets; Lertap makes the secondary ones.

 

The following topics get into some of the specifics of Lertap's primary and secondary worksheets.

 

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Related tidbits:

 

For the definition of a Lertap workbook, please click here.

 

For information on how to create a new Lertap workbook, simply click here and you'll be whisked away to a discussion of the Lertap toolbar's New menu.