File formats

This page describes the file formats suitable and accepted for upload to WeSIS. Two templates - one for monadic and one for dyadic data - are stored in "Seafile > WeSIS > Data Templates" (each as a csv- and a xlsx-file).

NOTE: THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

General remarks

When preparing the file, the first row - and only the first row (!) - can be used for any kind of additional information (coder information, project notes, last updated etc.). The line must start with the hashtag character # (as if it was a comment in R).

Many coding rules have been agreed upon and shall be followed. Please be aware of these rules and regularly check the site to see if further decisions have been added. These rules encompass - among others - country codes, date-time formats, technical variable names and other aspects that affect the data collection, ensure consistency and reduce error once applied.

Both templates include

1. mandatory and standardized columns for the data per se,
2. mandatory and standardized columns for metadata, and
3. (unlimited) optional columns for additional information regarding the data.

Standards for optional column names will evolve applying the principle of "first come, first serve" that was agreed upon. If you want to use optional columns,

• check the page on optional column names if any other project already made a suggestion that fits your needs.
• If a name already exists and you find the description suitable to file your information under this heading, please apply the existing one.
• If there is no name that suits the information you want to store, create a new name and describe the purpose of the column on the page so others may use it later on.

Long format: Monadic

Column name	Column number	Mandatory?	Standardized?	Type	Description	Comments
cow_code	1	yes	yes	Numeric	Country code according to the COW scheme	See the list of country codes used for WeSIS and WeSISpedia.
country_name	2	yes	yes	String	Country name	See the list of country codes used for WeSIS and WeSISpedia.
year	3	yes	yes	Numeric	The year a value refers to	Note that a date, like election dates or the data of introduction of a policy, is a value. year, thus may "double" the value.
technical_variable_name	4	yes	yes	String	Technical name of an indicator	Make sure to follow the naming convention for technical names in WeSIS and WeSISpedia.
value	5	yes	yes	Numeric, string or date time	The actual value of the indicator	Always use the dot (.) as the decimal separator for numeric data. For dates follow the date time format
unit	6	yes	yes	String	The unit of value.	For dates the unit is "date", otherwise name the actual unit of the value (e.g. "per 1000 inhabitants", "as % of GDP" etc.)

Long format: Dyadic

Explanation of mandatory columns.

Explanation of meta-data columns.

Explanation of optional columns.