Multiple Samples in a Single File

Sample files may contain transcripts of more than one verbal sample. Using the method described in the preceding section to mark the end and beginning of a sample (lines of equal signs), a user may place several samples into a single file. These samples can be taken from the same subject or different subjects -- each is treated independently. This feature is offered only as a convenience, to enable a batch of samples to be scored in a single session.

To illustrate this concept, here is a (very brief) example of a multi-sample file. The file text runs down the left side of the page with comments (which are NOT part of the file) to the right.

=======================================Flag "end of sample".

Subject: Adolfo Non-scorable material

Age: 25 describing following

Gender: Female sample.

=======================================Switch back to new

I don't know what to say. I'm happy to help sample.

with this study,/ but I don't know what to Sample 1 text.

talk about. Thanks for the chance.

=======================================Flag "end of sample".

Subject: Adolfo Non-scorable

Age: 42 descriptive

Gender: Male material.

=======================================Start second sample.

I enjoy doing this. I'm a willing volunteer,/ Sample 2 text.

though I've run out of interesting things to

talk about. I told you about my divorce and

suicide attempts,/ but that's all behind me now.

=======================================End sample 2.

There is a limit to the number of samples that PCAD 2000 will handle in a single file. This limit is determined by the total number of words in the file, and so will vary with the size of the samples. We currently recommend that multiple-sample files contain no more than ten separate samples. If an error is received because a multiple-sample file is too long, try removing samples to shorten it.