Once your University data is imported into your MSL System, it can be used to populate a set of membership type University data groups called Data Parameter Value Groups, which can then be used as building blocks for:
- Building membership requirements, for example, to control who can vote for a post in an election.
- Populating dynamic lists or membership groups, for example, all current first-year science students.
The imported data is treated as a set of Parameters and Values, for example, "Course Name = Maths", "Department = Engineering", "Year of Study = 2", "Student Type=Undergraduate". In each pair, the first part e.g. "Year of Study" is the Parameter, and the second part e.g. "2" is the Value.
You can decide which Parameters to import and use, and which combinations of Parameter and Value are used to populate the University data groups. If you only need to use certain Values, you can create Data Parameter Value Groups for those specifically. Alternatively, you can set it up so that new Data Parameter Value Groups are automatically created whenever a new Value is added to your data import.
With each new data import, memberships are automatically updated, ensuring accuracy and reflecting any changes in your members' information. Memberships in the relevant Data Parameter Value Groups expire if a user's current data has changed and no longer contains the Parameter-Value combination.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You can access this feature from your MSL System Admin site. Only Super Admins with Membership Admins or Site Admin permissions can access the Set Up Parameters windows.
Parameter Value links to Groups can only be updated via the Set Up Parameters windows. Although Data Value Parameter Groups can be found in Groups, you cannot modify requirements within them as with dynamic lists or other membership group types. Furthermore, any changes made to the memberships of these groups will be reverted if a user's data record still contains/ doesn't contain the Parameter-Value combination in the next import.
If you want to include a Parameter in your data import that is currently not included, reach out to your University records team. If they can add it, contact support@ukmsl.com in advance so we can prepare the import accordingly. Failure to do so will result in the import breaking.
Avoid selecting the Create Groups checkbox for Parameters like Course Name and Course Code unless necessary for an Academic Representation setup. This helps prevent unnecessary clutter in your system.
For further information, see People Overview.
Set Up Parameters Fields
This table lists and explains the fields on the Set Up Parameters and Group Mappings windows.
| Field Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| (Parameter) Name | This is the name of a data field in your student data file provided by your University or other parent institution. The names are predefined, but you can provide a user-friendly name in the Description field. Parameters are displayed when the Import Groups checkbox is selected in the Edit Parameter dialog for that specific Parameter. |
| Description | This is the user-friendly name for your Parameter, which is displayed on your demographic reports. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters window and Edit Parameter dialog. For further information, see How to Edit a Data Parameter. |
| Notes | This contains any relevant additional information about the Parameter, which is displayed on your demographic reports. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters window and Edit Parameter dialog. For further information, see How to Edit a Data Parameter. |
| Current Value Count | This indicates the number of distinct Values for that Parameter present in the most recent data import. If a Parameter has no current values, it suggests it's not in your data import, so you should consult your University records team for clarification. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters and Group Mappings windows. |
| Registered Value Count | This indicates the total number of different Values that have ever been associated with that Parameter in the data. The count may be higher than the Current Value Count if values no longer included in the data import were linked to groups. If they weren't linked to groups, the system removes them. |
| Import Values | If selected, the Values of this Parameter are imported from your data file and can be linked with groups during the import process. This field is displayed only in the Edit Parameter dialog and Set Up Parameters window. For further information, see How to Edit a Data Parameter. |
| Create Groups | If selected, new Values included in the data file for the selected Parameter are automatically linked to new Data Parameter Value Groups. These groups are then filled with users who have that Value associated with their record in the data file. This field is displayed only in the Edit Parameter dialog and Set Up Parameters window. For further information, see How to Edit a Data Parameter. |
| Display On (Demographic) Reports | If selected, this Parameter's Values are shown on demographic reports. This field is displayed only in the Edit Parameter dialog and Set Up Parameters window. For further information, see How to Edit a Data Parameter. |
| Sensitive | If selected, Parameters labelled as Sensitive can be shown on demographic reports but cannot be linked to groups. Only MSL can modify the Sensitive field. If you include Sensitive data in your import, such as disability status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious belief, and you require a change in this setting, please contact support@ukmsl.com. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters window. |
Refresh Values From The Current Data ( ) | Click to refresh the list of current Values for the corresponding Parameter from the current data if it has changed since the last import. Additionally, it will remove any non-current Values if they are not linked to groups. This option is available only if Import Values is selected in the Edit Parameter dialog. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters window. For further information, see How to Refresh Parameter Values from Current Data. |
Sync Parameter Value Groups ( ) | Click to create a Data Parameter Value Group for any current Values that aren't already linked to a corresponding group. This option is available only if Import Values is selected in the Edit Parameter dialog, and is relevant only if Create Groups is selected in the Edit Parameter dialog. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters window. For further information, see How to Sync Parameter Value Groups. |
Set Up Group Links ( ) | Click to display the Group Mappings window for the corresponding Parameter. This is where you can configure the groups linked to the Data Parameter Values. This option is available only if Import Values is selected in the Edit Parameter dialog. This field is displayed only in the Set Up Parameters window. For further information, see How to View and Filter Parameter Group Mappings and How to Set Up Data Parameter Value Group Links. |
| Value | This lists the current Values for the selected Parameter. Click the field name to reorder. This field is displayed only in the Group Mappings window. |
| Group(s) | This lists Groups associated with the selected Parameter's Values. Each Value can be linked to one or more groups. If a link between a Value and a group hasn't been established yet, a Create Group button is displayed. Clicking this will create a Data Parameter Value Group following the format "Parameter Name - Value", which will be populated by the corresponding data value. This field is displayed only in the Group Mappings window. For further information, see How to Set Up Data Parameter Value Group Links and How to Link Multiple Values to an Existing Group. |
| Delete | Click to unlink the Value from the group. This action will not delete the group itself. This field is displayed only in the Group Mappings window. For further information, see How to Delete a Linked Group. |
| Refresh | Click to Refresh the corresponding group's members. If you don't click this, it will refresh automatically when the data updates overnight. This field is displayed only in the Group Mappings window. |