Data dictionary tables

This screen is the Data Dictionary main menu. It shows information about the database tables used by RefTracker. The information is grouped into System tables and Question tables.

System tables generally allow you to determine the data entry field labels that are used by specific RefTracker screens. In these tables you can change the labels by which the data entry fields are identified in the relevant RefTracker screens. You would generally obtain guidance from your RefTracker supplier if you wanted to change any of these tables

The Question tables show information about the tables that make up the data being held about questions and DeskStats, so that their field names can be edited, the fields can be disabled if they are not necessary in your RefTracker system, and so that the order in which the items in the table are presented in Statistics and the Details screen can be determined.

Importantly the Data dictionary tables also provide information about the structure of RefTracker for the more technically oriented. It provides:
– the field names and relationships that an SQL programmer requires to be able to do ad-hoc reporting at the SQL level, directly on the RefTracker database (in house installations only).
– the field names that can be used in email templates to display information about the question the email refers to.
– the URL line parameters that can be used to feed data into RefTracker request forms.

The System tables include tables like:
– The Location table allows you to amend the labels being used for data entry fields in the Systems/Locations function.
– The Request form table allows you to amend the labels being used for data entry fields in the Systems/Request forms/Details (maintenance) function.
– The Staff table allows you to amend the labels being used for data entry fields in the Systems/User-Full and User-ServicePoint, and My Preferences screens.

The Question tables are:
– The Bibliographic data table controls the information about bibliographic items that is recorded for a question and so what is displayed in the Bibliographic data section of the Details screen.
– The Client table controls the information about the client that is recorded for a question and so what is displayed in the Client data section of the Details screen. Disabling fields in this table, e.g. the IP field, will prevent the client data being collected and displayed in the Details screen.
– The DeskStats data table controls the information that is saved whenever a cell is clicked in the DeskStats Live mode screen, and for each cell in which a number is entered in the DeskStats Batch mode screen. Use this table to determine the optional data collection fields that will appear in the Details section of the DeskStats screen.
– The DeskStats Resource data table controls the information that is recorded about resources used when answering question recorded through Deskstatistics.
– The ILL table controls the information about an ILL that is recorded when using the Third party screen. It is also displayed in the ILL data section of the Details screen.
– The Question table controls the information about the question itself, that is recorded for each question and so what is displayed in the Question data section of the Details screen. Disabling fields in this table, e.g. the Expertise field, will prevent the the fields appearing in the question answering process (but don’t forget that the 7.x Answering customisation parameters provide additional customisation in this area).

To see details of any of these tables, or to edit them, simply click on the table’s hyperlinked System name.