1. 1Data Structures | Data Elements Creating a Data Structure If you do not find a clinical assessment defined in the NDAR Data Dictionary, send us your codebook or develop your own data structure using our provided template.provided template

2. 2Data Structures | Data Elements Data Types Data elements fall into following categories: Integer: a whole number (not a fractional number) that can be positive, negative, or zero Float: a number that contains a floating decimal point String: a text (a sequence of characters) Date: MM/DD/YYYY GUID: special subject’s identifier File: file(s) linked to data being submitted

3. 3Data Structures | Data Elements Value Ranges A value range is the acceptable values for a data element. Ranges of values should be separated with two colons. A valid value must match the data type of the data element. For example, if the data element is an integer, it is not appropriate to have a value range containing letters. Multiple values must be separated by a semicolon.

4. 4Data Structures | Data Elements Formatting and Organization The following are required data elements and must be included in a data structure.

5. 5Data Structures | Data Elements Formatting and Organization Assessment scores always be listed as required elements. *from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Module 2

6. 6Data Structures | Data Elements Naming Elements Element names should be created based on a combination of the assessment name and question number. For longer assessments with multiple sections, we recommend including the title of the corresponding section. Element names are limited to 30 characters. *from the Ages and Stages Questionnaires Assessment abbreviation Question number Section name Subject’s age and question number *from the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire

7. 7Data Structures | Data Elements Naming Elements When creating a new data structure, please reuse as many data elements as possible from the Data Dictionary. *from the Background History Form *from Demographics

8. 8Data Structures | Data Elements Naming Elements To find existing elements, please refer to “Manage Data Elements” in the NDAR portal. Once logged into the portal, click on Data Dictionary in the Menu bar.

9. 9Data Structures | Data Elements Naming Elements On the right sidebar, click on “Manage Data Elements.”

10. 10Data Structures | Data Elements Naming Elements Here you can search through all of the existing elements.

11. 11Data Structures | Data Elements Translation If you have an assessment defined in your system and have never used NDAR’s names, please use Alias Mapping to connect your names to NDAR’s.Alias Mapping If you have valid values in your system that are not in the NDAR Data Dictionary, we can create translations rules to accept your values.

12. 12Data Structures | Data Elements Review Once complete, send us your txt or csv file for review. Please also provide a pdf version of the assessment with a description. Please let us know if you want to see your lab name associated with provided data structure.

13. 13Data Structures | Data Elements Need Help? Each data structure is reviewed by NDAR staff prior to publication in the Data Dictionary. If you need assistance, please contact the NDAR Help Desk at NDARHelp@mail.nih.gov. NDARHelp@mail.nih.gov