A field name is often an abbreviation for a longer idea. Different readers may interpret “active,” “complete,” or “value” differently unless the rule behind the field is written down.
Create a small data dictionary with the meaning, unit, allowed format, and important exclusions for each column. Include an example where it helps. The description should reflect the actual collection process, rather than an ideal definition no one follows.
Update the dictionary when a field’s meaning changes. A historical table may need the earlier definition preserved too. Clear column definitions make analysis, sharing, and future corrections easier to discuss.
Picture this situation.
A field named status could refer to a document, a review, or a delivery. A short dictionary makes the intended interpretation available to another reader.
A second way to look.
Keep the question beside the number. A measure is easier to interpret when the reader knows which decision or comparison it was intended to support.
- Define the rule behind each field.
- Include units and important exclusions.
- Keep earlier definitions when the meaning changes.
Follow a related question
Distinguish prompts from finished answers.
A template with room to thinkAsk which situations the examples cover.
Examples shape the model’s taskKeep learning
Related background to continue exploring this subject.
W3C: a primer for tabular data RFC Editor: the CSV format
