st: Merging databases

["Polly Casey" <pcasey@tccr.org.uk>]

Dear Statalist,

I've been scratching my head about this for days...

I have two databases which contain therapeutic outcome data, collected at a number of time points during treatment (e.g. 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and so on). One is updated by staff at site A (master database) and the other is updated by staff at site B. Both databases contain exactly the same variables, and patients have unique ID numbers. I need to be able to merge the database from site B into the master database of site A every week. 

However, it is not a simple case of adding new variables, nor is it a simple case of adding new observations. Sometimes it will be a matter of adding new observations, for example when new clients are added to a database, but more often it will be a matter of adding new data to existing cases. For example, a client may come in and complete their 9 month questionnaires. This will then be added to that client's row of data, after their 6 month questionnaire data. It will be 'filling in gaps' in the database, if you like. How do I merge the database from site B into the master database of site A? 

Many thanks,

Polly.

Dr Polly Casey
Parents In Conflict Study Coordinator
Research & Data Manager
The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships
70 Warren Street
London W1T 5PB
Direct line 020 7380 6097

supporting couples · strengthening families · safeguarding children

www.tccr.ac.uk                              www.tccr.org.uk
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