Iowa Population Data
VitalWeb Standard
Online Help





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Table of Contents


  1. Introduction

     Quick Guide to Using VitalWeb Standard

    Multiple Windows

  2. Basic Table Layout

     Main Statistic

    Table Axes (Rows and Columns)

    Statistic / Axis Conflicts

  3. Data Variables

     Categorical Variables

    Range Variables

    Statistic / Variable Conflicts

    Other Settings

  4. Chart Settings

     Bar Chart Coloring

    Bar Chart Layout

    Line Chart Settings #1

    Line Chart Settings #2

    Pie Chart Coloring

    Pie Chart Layout

    Tabular Charts / Chart Links

  5. Map Settings

     Map Coloring

    Map Layout

    Map Color Palettes

  6. Producing and Using Results

     Getting Results

    Viewing Results

    Printing Results

    Saving Results

    When Charts and Maps are Made

  7. Other Information

     Glossary

    County Groupings

    Statistical Methods

    Data Sources and Limitations

    Links to Related Resources

    Whom to Contact

    Legal Information




Quick Guide to Using VitalWeb Standard


Start Button First, select settings from within the Main Window:

• Main Statistic, for example "Population"
• Rows and columns, for example year rows
• Values for data variables, for example race

Next, whenever you are ready:

• Click on "Make Table Now" or "Make Map" to submit your query.
• Results will appear in a separate "Results Window".
• Browse through your results.
• Print your results (if desired).
• Save your results (if desired).

After you have made output:

• Go back to the the Main Window.
• Modify settings as desired.
• Make another map or table.


Multiple Windows


Screenshot: Multiple Windows

VitalWeb Standard uses multiple browser windows.

• It does not require full-screen windows.
• You can easily switch between browser windows.
• To switch to another window, simply click on it.
• When you exit the Main Window, the other windows go away.

Main Window ("command center") has the majority of settings and action buttons.

Map Settings Window customizes all map settings.

Other Settings Window:

• Click on "Other Settings" near bottom of the Main Window.
• A separate "Other Settings Window" pops up.
• Casual users can mostly ignore the other options.
• Advanced users will appreciate the extra power.

Help Window is what you are currently viewing.

Results Window displays any output maps or tables.

• Normally, each new result is appended to the Results Window.
• Review previous results by clicking on browser "Back" button.

Chart Setting Windows modify bar, line, and pie chart settings.


Main Statistic


Main Statistic - The basic numerical result in the output.

Main statistics include: Population | Median Population Age | Percent in Age Grouping

Selecting - Click on desired setting, such as Population.

 



Table Axes (Rows and Columns)


Year 0-1920-3940-5960+
1990 1,032 302 545 79
1991 1,134 317 555 88
1992 1,236 348 602 86


Example Table: Year Rows - Age Columns

• Rows - Horizontal lines of data, such as the row for 1991.
• Row Sort - Rows can be sorted, low to high, or high to low.
• Columns - Go up and down, such as the column for age 0-19.



Selecting - Click on desired setting, such as "Age" or "Race".


Statistic / Axis Conflicts


No Left Turn Sign If there is a conflict between statistic, rows, or columns:

• Vitalnet alerts you of the conflict.
• Vitalnet does not allow a table until the conflict is corrected.

Examples of conflicting settings (mismatches) include:

• Race rows, race columns.
• Year rows, year columns.

To correct a conflict, select a different Main Statistic, Row Variable, or Column Variable.


Selecting Data Variables


Data variables include - age, race, sex, year, county.

Example selector
for data variable:  



Change Groups


Practice for selecting data variable:

• Select one value - Click on "Under 1".
• Add one value to selection - CTL-Click on "5 to 14".
• Delete one value from selection - CTL-Click on "Under 1".
• Select several values - Hold down mouse, drag over several.
• Select all values - Click on "All Ages".
• Change groups - Click on "Change Groups" at bottom.

Note: Can only "Change Groups" for "range variables", such as age or year.
Note: "CTL-Click" means: While holding down control key, click mouse.

Appearance of Data Selector for Geographic Areas:




Select areas - move from left to right

Unselect areas - move from right to left




To select areas (in actual interface only):

1. Highlight unselected area - Click on "Armstrong".
2. Move area to "selected" column - Click on green arrow.

To unselect areas (in actual interface only):

1. Highlight selected area - Click on "Mills".
2. Move area to "unselected" column - Click on red arrow.

Notes on geographic selection:
• Use Shift-Click to select / deselect more than one area at a time.
• Vitalnet resolves duplications where one area includes another.


Selecting Data Variable Groupings


Certain data variables allow different "groupings".
For example, 5-year or 10-year age groups.

To change the grouping:

• Click on "Change Groups" - Brings up popup similar to below.
• In popup, click on desired grouping - Selects grouping, removes popup.






 


Example data grouping popup



Statistic / Variable Conflicts


No Left Turn Sign Sometimes, a conflict exists between a variable and a population-based rate. Vitalnet automatically prevents this from producing misleading output.

This is best shown with an example: Suppose there are 408,000 births, and the population is 12,000,000 females. Thus, the birth rate is 34 births per 1,000 females (408,000 / 12,000,000).

Now, suppose we try limiting the analysis to women with 12 years education. We know there are 108,000 births to such women. The result would seem to be 9 births per 1,000 such women (108,000/ 12,000,000). But of course this is totally wrong, because the denominator is not adjusted. And we do not have the population denominator data for women with 12 years education, so there is no easy solution.

To resolve this problem, when Vitalnet makes a rate calculation, it automatically prevents spurious results from being produced, by automatically adding all categories to demographic variables that are not included in the population data set.

So, for example, if you try to calculate a birth rate for women with 12 years of education, Vitalnet simply ignores the limitation to 12 years of education. Instead, it includes all levels of education, so the numerator and denominator match up. And it correctly reports that all levels of education were analyzed.

In contrast, if you try to calcuate a cesarean rate for women with 12 years of education, this does not require population data, only requires information on the births, so Vitalnet calculates the cesarean rate, limited to women with 12 years of education.


Other Settings


If you click on "Other Settings" in the Main Window, a separate "Other Settings Window" pops up. It lets you modify the following options:

Statistic Modifiers:
• None

Secondary Statistics:
• Table Percents - Row or Column Percents
• Trend Algorithm - Trend Analysis Method
• Trend Confidence - Set Level, or Turn Off

Miscellaneous Details:
• Decimal Digits - Example: Two in 5.78
• HTML Line Style - Line Style for Output HTML
• HTML Output Font - Text Font for Output HTML
• HTML Padding - Padding for Output HTML Table
• Spreadsheet Format - Spreadsheet Data Format
• Tabular Chart - Chart Width, or Omit Chart
• Unique ID - Put ID on Maps and Charts?

Example Selector, for One Setting:




Bar Chart Coloring


• Background color behind the chart.
• Color palette to use for the bars.
• First color in palette to use for bars.

Below are shown the settings, with examples:

Background Color for Chart (20 options)


White


Grey 95


Lemon Chiffon


Light Cyan


Color Palette for Bars (4 options)


Bright Colors


Subdued Colors


Bright + Subdued


Black + White


First Color in Palette to Use (10 options)


A Forward


D Reverse


E Forward


J Reverse




Bar Chart Layout



Vertical or Horizontal Bars


Vertical Bars


Horizontal


Stacked Bars?


Stacked Bars


Not Stacked


Height of Each Bar (9 options)


2 cm High


4 cm High


Width of Each Bar (8 options)


0.2 cm Wide


0.6 cm Wide


Include Grid Lines?


Include Grid


Omit Grid


Font Size for Chart Text (8 options)


10 pt Font


14 pt Font




Line Chart Settings #1


Eight ways to customize Vitalnet line charts:

Background Color for Chart (20 options)


Alice Blue


Light Yellow


Include Data Point Symbols? (2 options)


Include Symbols


Omit Symbols


Radius for Chart Symbols (10 options)


1.0 mm Radius


1.4 mm Radius


Line Chart Height (9 options)


4.0 cm (Not Shown)

7.0 cm (Not Shown)



Line Chart Settings #2



Width of Lines (3 options)


Thin Lines


Thick Lines


Include Grid Lines? (2 options)


Include Grid


Omit Grid


Colored Lines, or Black + White (2 options)


Colored Lines


Black + White Lines


Font Size for Chart Text (8 options)


10 pt Font (Not Shown)

12 pt Font (Not Shown)



Pie Chart Coloring


Three settings for customizing pie chart coloring:

• The background color behind the chart.
• The color palette to use for the pie chart.
• First color in palette to use (for slice #1).

Background Color for Chart (20 options)


Cornsilk Background


Grey Background


Light Cyan


Color Palette for Pie Chart (3 options)


Bright Colors


Subdued Colors


Mixed Colors


Slice #1 Color to Use (10 options)


Color A for #1


I Forward


F Reverse




Pie Chart Layout


Four settings for customizing pie chart layout:

Slice #1 Clock Position (12 options)


Slice #1 at Noon


Slice #1 at 3:00


Slice #1 at 6:00


How to Label Pie Chart (9 options)


Line + Label


Label Only


Use Legend


How to Display Slice Percents (3 options)


Percent After Label


Under Label


Omit Percents


Pie Chart Radius (9 options)


3.0 cm (Not Shown)

4.0 cm (Not Shown)

5.0 cm (Not Shown)



Tabular Charts / Chart Links


Tabular chart


A "tabular chart" is a convenient way of making comparisons.

The tabular chart is always made, unless turned off from the "Other Settings" menu. Also, you may specify the width of the columns within the chart.

Chart links: Note the links below the tabular chart. The links connect to additional graphical and data output formats. The example above links to bar chart, text, database, and spreadsheet formats.


Map Coloring



Color Combination (36 options)


Orange-Red


Grey


Red-Blue


Number of Colors (8 options)


3 Colors


5 Colors


7 Colors


How to Set Ranges (3 options)


Equal Ranges


Equal Counts


Natural Breaks




Map Layout



Boundaries to Display (2 options)


County Boundaries


HSR Boundaries


Border Counties


Cell Suppression (0 options)


Suppression Off


Suppress if < 10 Events


Suppress if < 30 Events


Map File Format (PNG, PDF, SVG, GIS)


PNG Map (Imports Best)


SVG Map (Prints Best)


GIS Map (Interesting)




Map Color Palettes


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Diverging Palette    BW   CB 
                                                        Brown-BlueGreen   - Y
                                                        Pink-Green   - Y
                                                        Purple-Green   - Y
                                                        Purple-Orange   Y Y
                                                        Red-Blue   - Y
                                                        Red-Grey   - -
                                                        Red-Yellow-Blue   - Y
                                                        Red-Yellow-Green   - -
                                                        Spectral   Y -
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Sequential Palette    BW   CB 
                                                        Blue   Y Y
                                                        Blue-Green   Y Y
                                                        Blue-Purple   Y Y
                                                        Green-Blue   Y Y
                                                        Green   Y Y
                                                        Grey   Y Y
                                                        Orange   Y Y
                                                        Orange-Red   Y Y
                                                        Purple-Blue   Y Y
                                                        Purple-Green   Y Y
                                                        Purple-Red   Y Y
                                                        Purple   Y Y
                                                        Red-Purple   Y Y
                                                        Red   Y Y
                                                        Yellow-Green   Y Y
                                                        Yellow-Blue   Y Y
                                                        Yellow-Brown   Y Y
                                                        Yellow-Red   Y Y


All palettes are OK for color printing. BW - OK for black and white printing? CB - OK for red-green color blindness?

References for Vitalnet map color palettes - • LW Pickle, M Mungiole, GK Jones, AA White, "Atlas of United States Mortality", National Center for Health Statistics, 1997. • CA Brewer, "Color Use Guidelines for Mapping and Visualization", in "Visualization in Modern Cartography", Elsevier, 1994. • ColorBrewer web site showing color palettes.


Getting Results


Go Sign To produce results:

1. Click on button - Click on "Make Map" or "Make Table". The program sends the query to the server.

2. View Results Window - Output will display in separate window. It takes a few seconds, depending on the analysis, the data set, and how much data.

3. Conflicts prevented - The program does not permit an invalid request. If a problem, such as row / column mismatch, you will be prompted to correct it before submitting request.


Viewing Results


Binoculars After you click "Make Map" or "Make Table", a separate "Results Window" appears.

To view results:

1. Scroll results - Use scroll bar, PgUp, PgDn, etc.
2. Print or Save results - Sends to printer or disk.
3. Click on footnote links - Access charts and data files.

Note: If viewing a map, pointing to a map area (use your mouse to position the cursor over a map area) displays the name of the area.

Note: Output forms a queue. In other words, new output replaces old output in the Results Window. Therefore, to review previous output, simply click the browser "Back" button in the Results Window.

Returning to Main Menu - To carry out another analysis:

• Click on the Main Window, OR
• Minimize the Results Windows.

If graphics do not display in output, refresh the browser.


Printing Results


Printer To print results from your browser, use one of the following methods:

• Press CTL-P - Hold down Control key, and press 'P' key.
• Use Browser Icon - Click on Print Icon (if available).
• Use Browser Menu - Select "File / Print" (if menu available).

If output table is too wide or long, here are two ways to make it fit:

• Use fewer rows or columns. Also makes it easier to understand.
• Change browser font size. Typical command is: View / Text Size.

How to print from a spreadsheet or word processor:

1. Click on link for desired format in output footnotes.
2. Download and import the data file:
  • CSV / TSV / DIF for spreadsheets, such as Excel or StarOffice.
  • ASCII for word processor, such as Word or WordPerfect.
3. Format and print from within your spreadsheet or word processor.


Saving Results


File Cabinet To save results displayed in your browser, do one of the following:

• Press CTL-S - Hold down Control key, and press 'S' key.
• Use Browser Menu - Select "File / Save" (or equivalent).

To save an alternate data format, click on a footnote link:

• ASCII text - Import into word processing software.
• CSV/TSV/DIF format - Import into spreadsheet software.
• dBASE III - For database, GIS, mapping, stats software.

To save a map as an image file, minus any surrounding text:

1. Position cursor over map, using your mouse.
2. Press right mouse button to bring up popup menu.
3. Select "Save" option from popup menu.
4. Specify directory (folder) to save file.

Here are some suggestions on naming files:

• Memorable - Select a name that will remind you of the content.
• Organized - Organize files into project directories (folders).
• Linkable - Use provided unique ID for data files, such as "112jdhkm.dbf".


When Charts and Maps are Made


Vitalnet is smart about making output. Whenever you make a table, Vitalnet usually makes one or more accompanying charts. But it only produces the charts that make sense. If a chart would look terrible, or not be epidemiologically valid, the software does not make it.

Vitalnet avoids making misleading or useless charts. To prevent misinterpretation and embarassing results, Vitalnet intelligently decides when it appropriate to make a chart, as explained below:

Bar charts are only made if the following conditions are met:

• 1 to 20 rows (groups of bars).
• 1 to 10 columns (bars per group).
• No suppressed results (for stacked bar chart).

Line charts are only made if the following conditions are met:

• Range rows (such as age or year).
• No breaks in ranges (not 2000, 2002).
• Rows not sorted. No suppressed results.
• No more than 10 lines (10 columns).

Pie charts are only made if the following conditions are met:

• Cumulative data (counts, some rates).
• One set of numbers (one row or column).
• 2 to 9 pie slices. No suppressed results.

Time trend maps (that cycle from map to map) are only produced when all selected year ranges are the same width. For example, 1995-1996, 1997-1998, 1999-2000 is OK. But 1995-1996, 1997-1998, 1999 is not OK. Also, at least two year ranges are required. So if you just have 1995-1996 (a single range) selected, Vitalnet does not make a series of time trend maps.

Time trend analysis, when making a table with year rows, is only carried out when: 1) at least three year ranges are selected, 2) there are no gaps in the ranges, 3) the ranges are the same width, and 4) the rows are not sorted. When these conditions are met, the time trend analysis is epidemiologically valid.


Glossary



Area set - One or more areas combined.

ASCII file - A text file, with only alphabetical, numerical, and punctuation characters, like you would see in normal text. Vitalnet can produce output in ASCII format.

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US federal health agency.

Cell - A space for a single numerical result in a table, at a row-column intersection.

Cell suppression - An asterisk "*" is placed in cells with fewer events (such as deaths) than a limit set by the user. Row / column totals with exactly one suppressed cell in the row / column are also suppressed. If more than one cell in the row / column is suppressed, the row / column total may be displayed.

Columns - Vertical groupings of data in a Vitalnet table, such as a column for each race group.

CSV format - Comma-separated-value format. CSV files are readily imported into spreadsheet software. Each output item is separated by a comma from surrounding items, and each output text item is surrounded by "double quotes". A comma-separated-value file has "csv" extension. Similar to TSV format.

Data warehouse - A software system, such as Vitalnet, making large complex databases readily available for querying and analysis. A related term is "data mining", finding unexpected relationships in a data set, for further study. Data mining is similar to exploratory data analysis. Vitalnet is excellent at data mining. Of course, keep in mind that the more you look, the more unusual events you will find, just by chance.

dBASE III format - A widely used file format originally for the database software of the same name. Files in dBASE III format may be readily imported into almost any data analysis, graphing, mapping, or other presentation software. Uses dbf extension. Suppressed cells are represented as the number "-1".

DIF format - Data interchange format. DIF files are readily imported into spreadsheet software. The DIF format is too complex to explain in this glossary. Has "dif" extension.

Denominator - The number on the bottom of a fraction. Population data are often referred to as "denominator data", as they are used as denominators to calculate population-based rates.

Export - Produce output that can be read into other computer programs. Vitalnet produces ASCII text (txt), comma-separated-value (csv), HTML (htm), and dBASE III (dbf) files for export.

Filter variable - A variable solely used to filter which records are included in the output. For example, for a single table with race rows and sex columns, age 10-19 is a filter variable.

FIPS Code - FIPS = "Federal Information Processing Standards". A five-digit number which uniquely identifies counties, territories, and certain other areas in the United States. States have two-digit FIPS codes.

Footer - Last part of a Vitalnet table. Lists less important details of the analysis, such as the date produced, and data sources. Also contains a unique ID to assist in keeping track of analyses.

Header - First part of a Vitalnet table. Lists key analysis parameters, such as years analyzed.

Import - Read information into a computer program. ASCII text, CSV, TSV, DIF, HTML, and dBASE III files from Vitalnet are easily imported into word processing, spreadsheet, data analysis, mapping, graphing, and other presentation software programs.

Least-squares - A standard method for fitting the best straight line to a set of points. Produces a Y-intercept and a slope defining the least-squares line.

Median population age - A measure of the overall age of a population. Half the population is younger than the median, half is older. Assuming a population of 100,000 people, 50,000 people would be older than the median age, 50,000 younger.

Multiple age groups - One age group for each table row (or column). Example: 0-19, 20-59, 60-99+.

Natural Breaks - Method for determining map ranges. Minimizes "squared deviations from class means".

NCHS - National Center for Health Statistics. US health statistics agency. Part of the CDC.

Percent total population in age group - A population statistic. Useful for assessing the relative age of the population. If the total population is 100,000, and 8,000 are under age 10, the percent of the total population under 10 is 8 percent.

Population - The number of people living in an area.

Rows - Horizontal lines in a Vitalnet table, such as a row for each race group.

Row sort settings - Vitalnet rows may be sorted in ascending or descending order.

Set - A combination of one or more things. For example, several areas may be combined into an area set.

Single age group - Only one age group (30-49, for example) is selected. A single age group is used for tables that do not have age columns or age rows.

Statistic (Main Statistic) - The basic type of numerical result displayed in a table, chart, or map. For example, birth rate, death rate, population, pregnancy rate, etc.

Table - A set of results produced by Vitalnet. A table has several parts:
 
  1. Header - basic analysis settings
  2. Data section - numerical results
  3. Bar graphs - horizontal charts
  4. Footer - other analysis settings

Tabular chart - A section of a Vitalnet table. Gives an scaleable graphical representation of the data. May be omitted from the output table.

TSV format - Tab-separated-value format. TSV files are readily imported into spreadsheet software. Each output item is separated by a tab from surrounding items, and each output text item is surrounded by "double quotes". A tab-separated-value file has "tsv" extension. Similar to CSV format.

Vitalnet / VitalPro / VitalWeb - Vitalnet is data warehouse / data analysis software for analyzing health data sets. VitalPro is a Vitalnet system that runs directly on a PC, for example VitalPro for Win32. VitalWeb is a Vitalnet system that runs over the internet, for example VitalWeb Ajax.

Windows - Microsoft PC operating systems. VitalPro runs under any version of Windows.

World Wide Web (WWW) - A widely used part of the internet that may be easily accessed with a web browser. Vitalnet runs on the WWW.


County Groupings


Region 1: Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Dallas, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Warren, Webster
 
Region 2: Allamakee, Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth, Wright
 
Region 3: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O=Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Woodbury
 
Region 4: Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Madison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Taylor, Union
 
Region 5: Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Muscatine, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington, Wayne
 
Region 6: Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Scott


Statistical Methods


The "Main Statistic" (numerical outcome) is the basic type of number in a Vitalnet table. It is best understood by looking at the examples below.

Population - The number of people living in an area.

Median Population Age - The age at which half of the population is older, and half younger. For example, a median age of 42.3 indicates that 50% are younger than 42.3 years, 50% older. Median population age is a good indicator of the overall youth or age of the population.

Percent Total Population in Age Group - For example, the age group birth-4 is selected, and 7.2% of the population is less than five years old. This statistic may be used to assess trends in population age distribution.


Data Sources and Limitations


VitalWeb Standard uses data from authoritative sources.


Links to Related Resources


Internet resources related to Population Data:

• Iowa data - Contacts to be added


Whom to Contact


For additional assistance with analyzing and interpreting the data, contact:

• Iowa data - Contacts to be added

Legal Information


Data Awarehouse, "Discover the future of health data", "We care about your health data", Birtha, Epidemic, Epigram, Medtrend, Multicod, Oncogram, Poptrend, Pregdata, STD Wizard, Vitalnet, VitalWeb, VitalPro, VitalPro for Win32, VitalPro for Unix, VitalPro for Windows, VitalWeb Ajax, VitalWeb Standard, and VitalWeb Wizard are trademarks of Daniel Goldman. VITALNET and VITALWEB are registered trademarks. More information

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Copyright 1999-2019 - All rights reserved.
Documentation produced: "Apr 1 2023" - Contact EHDP