A collection of functions that helps data management data.frames, particularly those derived from NLSY Extracts.

A collection of functions that helps data management base::data.frames, particularly those derived from NLSY Extracts.

VerifyColumnExists( dataFrame, columnName )

RenameColumn( dataFrame, oldColumnName, newColumnName )

RenameNlsyColumn( dataFrame, nlsyRNumber, newColumnName )

Arguments

dataFrame	The base::data.frame whose columns are to be verified or renamed.
columnName	The name of the column to verify is present in the base::data.frame.
nlsyRNumber	The name of the column to change.
oldColumnName	The name of the column to change.
newColumnName	The desired name of the column.

Value

IMPORTANT The RenameColumn() and RenameNlsyColumn() functions do not use side-effects to rename the base::data.frame. Instead, it returns a new base::data.frame. In the example below, notice the assignment to ds: ds <- RenameNlsyColumn(...).

The VerifyColumnExists() function check that exactly one column exists with the specified columnName. If so, the index of the column is returned. If not, an exception is thrown.

Details

The RNumber assigned by the NLS has a pattern. In the Nlsy79 Gen1 dataset, the names start with a 'R' or 'T' and are followed by seven digits (eg, R0000100). In the Nlsy79 Gen2 dataset, the names start with 'C' or 'Y' and are followed by seven digits (eg, C0007030, Y1994600).

In the NLS Investigator, a decimal is present in the RNumber (eg, R00001.00). When the Investigator saves the dataset as a CSV, the decimal is removed (eg, R0000100).

Author

Will Beasley