How to view your results in custom time series


There are two ways to see time trend graphs in Dharma:  

  1. Through collected data (date response) or

  2. Metadata (real-time when data was entered) 

Collected Data 

Let's first take a look at how collected data (date response) can be used as a base question for the time series. 


If you would like to see custom time series graphs in RESULTS with one of your own questions as a base question, be sure to include a 'date type question' that will function as your x-axis time stamp. 

See example below. Let's say that I want to track level of supply requests over time. If I want to actively and manually collect the data requests should be delivered by, be sure to include a date type question that asks which date this record is for.


Before, during, and/or after data collection has been completed, you can go to Settings > Parameters to change the results section into custom time series graphs. 


This is the default parameters for a one-time survey: 




If I want to enable time series, toggle on Track Data Over Time.




Scroll down and select Custom under Select Time Series Interval and Select Collected Data under Which date value do you want to use for your custom time series? 

Also, select base date, in this example 'When would you like to receive your supplies request?' 

You also have the option to choose the frequency of the time series, as well as the metric.



With these settings in place, the results section will now display time series graphs with the selected base question as the x-axis time stamp. 

Since we chose 'mean' as the metric, the y-axis shows the average number of ballpoint pens requested over 

time.


Metadata

If you would like to see time series graphs with metadata as the x-axis time stamp, select 'Automatic Metadata'. 

Notice there are two options to choose from under Select base date: 


With these settings in place, we may see a very different graph from the previous graph with collected data as the x-axis. It is up to the user to decide with option makes most sense for their projects. 




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