This file contains all data from the job inventory booklets filled out by each person surveyed. This includes the background variables and all the task responses. This file is typically created by optically scanning booklets, by data entry methods, or by a combination of these methods. The result of this data automation process is the preliminary raw data file that is submitted to the AUDITR program for basic error checking. Those "card images" which collectively represent a valid case are written to a final raw data file, which can then be submitted to INPSTD to create the Case Data file.
The format of the raw data file is defined by the associated format cards.
The "card images" associated with invalid cases (as determined by AUDITR) are written to an error raw data file in a format identical to the preliminary raw data file. These erroneous "card images" may be corrected and merged into the final raw data file using the AUDITR program, or the user may simply choose to edit the original file.
In order to effectively detect duplicate cases, the raw data file should always be sorted before being submitted to AUDITR.