Reference Data Type
What is a Reference Data Type?¶
A Reference Data Type is one of the four possible Data Types within Mauro Data Mapper. It is used to describe relationships between different Data Classes within the same Data Model. Typically, Reference Data Types ‘refer’ and consequently link to another specified Data Class.
How are Reference Data Types used?¶
By using Reference Data Types to link similar Data Classes together, users don’t have to repeatedly add in new Data Classes, if a similar version already exists.
For example, consider a Data Model where you have a ‘Patient’ Data Class and a ‘GP’ Data Class. Within the ‘Patient’ Data Class, there may be a Data Element called ‘registeredGP’. This Data Element refers to the ‘GP’ Data Class, and therefore it is a Reference Data Type.
In the details panel of a Reference Data Type, a link to the Data Class it refers to is displayed in the ‘Type’ field. Clicking this link will navigate you to the details panel of that particular Data Class, where you can view all its associated Data Elements in the ‘Content’ tab below the details panel.
You can also view all the Data Elements that use that Reference Data Type by selecting the ‘Data Elements’ tab underneath the details panel. This will display the Multiplicity, Name and Description of each Data Element.
