Mappings in rules

About data mappings

Study objects and properties that are related to mappings are called data mappings. You add data mappings to rule expressions in the Rule Wizard using the dynamic expression prompts in the Expression tab or by dragging them from the Expression tab > Data Mappings tab. The Data Mappings tab lists:

  • RefNames of the data mappings, data sets, and data series in the study or library.
  • Rule model properties for data series.

    A data series has the properties of the item that is mapped to it. If a data series contains an item that collects more than one value, the rule model properties for repeating study objects appear so you can access an array of all of the values of the item.

  • Methods for data sets.

    A method appears if you select the corresponding standard data dimension of the data set. You can use data set methods to return a subset of the data in the data set.

  • Study events, forms, sections, and items that are mapped to each data set.

    Study objects appear if you select the corresponding standard data dimension of the data set. The properties of the study objects are used as parameters of data set methods.

Managing data mappings

You manage data mappings in the Project Explorer, where you create mappings, data sets, and data series and add items to data series. For more information, see Data Mappings tab.

Mappings and data-entry rules

Adding items to a data series in a mapping allows you to:

  • Use vector arithmetic to examine a range of values.

    When an item appears on multiple forms or is part of a repeating form or repeating study event, an array of values is collected for the item.

  • Use the items in any data-entry rule in the study, regardless of the level at which the rule is created or the scope of the study object.

    To reuse the data-entry rule in another study, all items must be in the mapping in the other study.