Sentinel Value Domain

Sentinel Value Domain

Concepts

Sentinel Value Domains can be enumerated (listed) or described. A Value Domain expressed as a list of Categories for sentinel values or a description thereof. The scope and the meaning of the possible values are defined within the frame of the Conceptual Domain that the Sentinel Value Domain is associated with.

Separating the sentinel values from the substantive ones allows a large reduction in the number of Value Domains, and thus Represented Variables and Instance Variables, that need to be maintained.

Use of generic codes is recommended for Concepts which appear in many, if not, all Code Lists, e.g. <S_X, Unspecified>, <S_Z, Not applicable>, < S_R, Refusal>, <S_U, Unknown>