Using nets, metrics, and base in reports

Crosstab and Frequency's Nets & Metrics tool adds rows with calculated survey data. This includes nets, such as Top 2 Box scores, and summary statistics with metrics, such as median or standard deviation, among many others. You can change a question's base to show results for a specific subset of respondents instead of the full sample.

Overview

• Nets and metrics can be added to most survey questions and tables. 
• The base can be modified for single select questions/tables and open-ended numeric questions/tables.
• Nets, metrics, and base options can be found in the three-dot actions menu next to each question's table. Some tables, loops, or blocks have an actions menus at both the parent summary level and the child table level.
• There are several predefined nets ready to use or you can create custom nets.
• Nets and metrics added in Crosstabs also appear in Frequency, and vice versa. Nets and metrics added through the source code with the metric tag will automatically display in the relevant table rows.
• Auxiliary fields such as weights, code frames, and custom fields, are not meant for use with nets, metrics, or base features.

Base

A question's base includes all responses unless otherwise filtered out (e.g., by status, date, or data cuts). If a subset of respondents are not relevant for your analysis, you can modify the base to remove them from the report.

Base is not available for the following fields: Text (non-numeric), Ranks, MaxDiffs, and multiselect questions.

For closed-end questions, deselect specific answer options to remove those respondents.

For numeric open-end questions, define a base using a minimum, maximum, or range value. The N-size and frequencies will update automatically. 

Standard nets

Nets (also called groups or buckets) combine the highest or lowest options from a rating scale. The following predefined nets are available:

• Top 2 Box combines the results from the highest two points on a scale (e.g., a top 2 box net on a 1 to 5 scale combines the '4' and '5' responses).
• Top 3 Box combines the results from the highest three points.
• Bottom 2 Box combines the results from the lowest two points on a scale (e.g., a bottom 2 box net on a 1 to 5 scale combines the '1' and '2' responses).
• Bottom 3 Box combines the results from the lowest three points.

You can also create custom nets, discussed further below.

Standard metrics

In addition to nets, the following metrics are available.

Adding predefined nets and metrics

Both parent and child tables have an actions menu. Click this menu to add a net or metric.

The Nets & Metrics pop-up displays a default net or metric based on the question type (e.g., closed-ended vs. open-ended). To change it, expand the menu and make a new selection.

If a net or metric is added to a parent table, it will apply to child tables, and vice versa. If multiple survey fields share the same answer options, you can add those fields at the same time when creating a single net or metric.

Click Apply to exit the pop-up or Apply & Add Another to save the first net or metric and continue adding more.

Nets

When you select a predefined net, such as Top 2 Box, the software automatically selects the appropriate options for the net grouping. These selections are not editable.

Metrics

To define a metric, for example Max or Min, simply enter the number value in the text field on the right.

There are a few additional steps needed for the metrics Percentile and Range.

• When applying Percentile, enter a number to specify the Nth percentile, where N% of the data falls below it.
• When applying Range, enter the starting option ID or value in the From field and the ending option ID or value in the To field. You can include multiple ranges on the same question by clicking the plus sign next to the Description field.

Enter text in the Description field when adding a range to activate the Apply buttons.

Adding custom nets

Adding a custom net is similar to adding a predefined net or metric. Select Custom Net from the dropdown. Then, click within the Options field to choose one or more answer options for the net grouping.

Custom nets also support multiple groupings — click the plus sign to the left to add more. Once all groupings are set, add a description, and click Apply or Apply & Add Another. 

Editing or deleting a net or metric

To edit an existing net or metric, click on the actions menu and select Edit Nets & Metrics. In the pop-up, you can choose to edit or delete the selected net or metric.