The following offers a step-by-step procedure for submitting a form to MSTAHRS. While forms for each category, .(e.g., Deaths, Births) may differ, the basic procedure will be the same. The forms are designed so that features can be enabled and disabled dynamically. This allows the user more flexibility in choosing options and less chance for input of errors when submitting the query.
1. Selection for variables such as Sex, Ethnicity, Race, and Age Group are made using drop down boxes.
Years can be selected individually by checking boxes. A Select All and Reset button are provided. The most recent year is selected by default.
Cause/Outcome variable selection methods vary greatly between programs. With Births and Pregnancies, a drop-down box is used so that only one selection can be made. Multiple selection of cause of death can be done using the standard method for a list box. Multiple selections may not be enabled at all times.
For cause of death selection, both selection of major causes and sub groupings are allowed. Using buttons at the bottom of the selection window, using the button identified with '>>' forward selection is made. To return to major causes, use the '<<' back button. Causes with sub groupings are identified with '->.'
2. At the bottom, or near bottom of the form is a selection area for type of table output. All forms allow for the selection of frequencies only and frequencies with either row or column percents. Most of the forms also allow for the inclusion of rates, either crude or age-adjusted.
3. As a final option, included at the bottom of the Death query form is the standard population for age-adjustment of rates. This option is only available when age-adjusted rates are selected in the table output section.
4. Select the type and method of shading for the map. First, choose either a 4 or 5 grouping for shading. Next, select the method of classification of data into groups. Methods include quantiles, equal interval and standard deviation. Jenks' Optimization/Natural Breaks is currently unavailable but is planned for future release.
5. Press the Submit button at the bottom of the form to send the query.
Output from the request will be displayed in a new browser window. This allows for the flexibility of saving query selection criteria for further modifications.