# Assessments

## Overview

Complete data storage and assessment specifications and descriptions are stored in XCEDE using the assessment_t and assessmentDescItem_t tag structures.

In XCEDE the formal definition of an assessment and the cataloging of the actual data values collected for that assessment are specified in different parts of the schema. The formal description of the assessment questions and possible answer choices are specified in the protocol section of the schema using the type protocol_t (described at a high level in ) whereas the actual assessment data for an acquisition are stored in the assessment_t tags

assessment_t

The assessment_t tag extends the abstract_data_t tag to include information about the acquired assessment.

The name element contains the assessment name which is unique within the document and links the acquired listing of assessment data back to the formal assessment definition optionally contained within the protocol description

The `dataInstance` element specifies the state of the acquired data. Specifically whether it is first entry, second entry, validated, unvalidated, etc.

assessmentInfo_t

The assessmentInfo_t tag is derived from the abstract_info_t element and is used to store a description of the assessment

assessmentItem_t

The assessmentItem_t tag is used to store the actual data captured by the assessment. The assessmentItem_t tag is composed of a `<valueStatus>` element which contains information about whether the subject declined to answer the question or why the data value might be missing. The `<value>` element stores the actual value of the assessment item as captured on the assessment iteself. The `<normValue>` is used to store the normalized value for the element. The `<reconciliationNote>` is used to document whether the values have been reconcilied if this data is part of multiple data entries. The `<annotation>` is used to annotate the assessment item.

The `terminology_ag` reference is used to give contextual meaning to the question and link it with known ontologies and concepts.

## Examples

The assessment example below shows both a formal assessment description stored in the `<protocol>` block and also the actual acquired assessment data

### Formal Assessment Description

The formal description of each question for the assessment and possible answer choices:

Assessment description

### Actual Acquired Assessment Data

An instance of actual assessment data acquired on a subject during a protocol collection:

Acquired assessment data

## Reference