encoding variables, using in 'if' within 'metan' command

[Sophie Faulkner]

I have a variable whose value is either 'yes', or 'no' ("g1schedule"), which was a sting, and I used 'encode'
encode g1schedule, gen(schedule) The new variable "schedule" is still words, in blue now, not red like strings, which seems to be right, according to here: https://www.stata.com/support/faqs/d...ring-variable/

However this variable wont work as a specification to work on only a subset of studies when using metan, as below:

metan n mean SD n2 mean2 SD2 if schedule ==no, hedges
no not found
r(111);

Variables work here (after 'if) when the value == a number, but not for those where it is a word, even after encoding.

In case it helps:
. describe schedule

storage display value
variable name type format label variable label
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
schedule long %8.0g schedule g1sleepschedule

Does anyone know if there is something wrong with the variable, or the command syntax?

Many Thanks!
Sophie

[Marcos Almeida]

One thing is the label, another thing is its value.

You may type - codebook schedule -, then you get the values. Let's say "no" is equal to zero, then you type - if schedule ==0 - for that matter.

Hopefully that helps.

[Sophie Faulkner]

Hi Marcos,

That has worked. Thanks for your help, much appreciated

Sophie

[Marcos Almeida]

Hello Sophie,

Thank you for informing the thread reach a satisfactory closure to you.