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The
templates used when entering a new protocol are called “study definition
files” in ARM. The term “study” is used because study definitions define
the structure of both protocols and trials. ARM study definitions are also
called “.def” files, because they are always named with a file name
extension of “.def” (or *.def8 in ARM 8).
An ARM
study definition most commonly defines general (page) header format,
treatment field names and lengths, assessment data headings, product
dictionaries, protocol comment format, summary comments, and other trial
information fields. An ARM installation that has been customized for a
crop protection company is generally based on customized ARM study
definitions that are named differently than the GDM study definitions
described below.
The newest
standard study definitions included with ARM are stored in the GDMdef
subdirectory of ARMdef. These “generic” study definitions begin with
“G-” (for GDM), and are:
-
G-All7.def, for crop protection, crop variety, fertilizer, and PGR
studies
-
G-Seed7.def, used for seed variety testing studies when formulated
products are not included as a treatment factor
-
G-Gen7.def, for trials that do not use formulated products, with
treatments that are discrete items not separated by rate values
Standard study definitions that were included with ARM 6 or PRM 5 or 4
subdirectories of ARMdef\GDMdef. While you may continue to use them in
ARM, they do not contain all the updated features/sections (formatted
protocol description, additional treatment fields and data headers)
included in the ARM versions.
If you
receive customizations from companies, they usually begin with the
company's initials and should be stored in a separate directory. Click "Contract
Researchers" for additional information on customized study
definitions.
When you select a study definition while creating a new protocol, ARM
reads a file of default settings for the selected study definition. This
defines initial settings for options such as plot and mix sizes, number
of replicates to randomize, and experimental design.
Site
description entry fields and their arrangement are defined by a Site
Description Format (.frm) file. Together, the study definition and site
description format control the arrangement of all information entry
fields in ARM protocol and trial data files.
You can
change the study definition used for a protocol on the Settings Dialog
General Tab. If treatments are entered, then ARM re-arranges treatment
fields as needed to fit the new definition format.
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