Using combined dimensions
Two or more dimensions can be combined to create a single custom dimension. For example, to combine the simple dimensions Gender and Marital status, add both of these dimensions to the sample.
Tick the checkbox next to both of the dimension names and click on the Combine button.
Expand the new combined dimension to see each of the elements. The combined dimension will be given a default name, but this can be changed if required by clicking on the name and editing it. Click on one of the elements to see its definition – note that the combined dimension is defined as a custom dimension.
You may want to save this custom dimension as a named dimension to use in a later prototype or sample.
Using combined dimensions enables a sample job to be defined with a combination of Interlocking/Nested and non-Interlocking/non-Nested dimensions. For example, add another dimension to the sample, such as Age, and change the Type to non-Interlocking. The sample now uses Gender/Marital status as effectively interlocking dimensions as they are combined, and Age which is non-Interlocking. The results of this can be seen in example 3 looking of the Targets/Results article.
Combined dimensions can be restored to the original separate dimensions if required using the Restore button.
Storing Demographic Data using a Combined Dimension
If you tend to use certain quota cell settings across many projects (e.g. demographic information or census percentage data), you can save the dimension and % targets as a Named Dimension which contains a standard set of quota cell definitions on which to base future projects.
In previous versions this was called a Quota Template.
This can be done as follows:
- add and combine dimensions to achieve the custom dimensions required
- use Paste Targets to copy the percentages from an Excel spreadsheet
- save the dimension as a Named Dimension so that it can be used at a later date for other samples