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Secondary Data Sets

Data Formats

Secondary data comes in various file types. Make sure the format works with your chosen analysis software:

  • Common Formats: You'll often see universal files like CSV or Excel, or specialized formats for statistical software like SPSS (.sav), Stata (.dta), or R data files (.RData).

  • Compatibility: Ensure your software can open the files. Most major data archives offer multiple download options.

 

File Converters

Keep in mind: converting data can sometimes get messy, formatting might break, or columns might shift, so extra cleanup might be needed before analysis.