Minimum and maximum weights
Quick reference
To specify the maximum and/or minimum weights you will accept, place the keywords:
maxwt=number
and/or
minwt=number
either on the wm statement if you are using a weight matrix, or on the l statement or on individual elements if you are declaring weights in axes.
More information
The options maxwt= and minwt= define the maximum and/or minimum weights that can be applied in tables using a specific weighting matrix or axis. The values you specify can be integers or reals.
If you are using weighting matrices you place these keywords on the wm statement; if you are specifying weights in axes you place these keywords on the l statement or on individual elements. If you use the same keyword with different values on an element and on the l statement, the setting on the element overrides the setting on the l statement.
When you specify maxwt= and/or minwt=, Quantum tries to ensure that the maximum and/or minimum weights used in the table match your specifications. Quantum performs the weighting calculations and adjustments as follows:
1 Calculate the weight for each cell of the table.
2 Examine each weight and compare it against the minimum and/or maximum values defined. If a weight is less than the minimum value it is set to the minimum value, if it is larger than the maximum value it is set to the maximum value. If no adjustment is necessary the weighting calculation is complete.
3 If adjustments were necessary, Quantum calculates the total obtained using the modified weights and compares it with the total obtained using the unmodified weights. If the totals are different, Quantum tries to correct for this by adjusting the weights which were not set to maxwt or minwt and then returns to step 2.
If all weights are set to maxwt or minwt so that no correction is possible, Quantum uses the unmodified values.
All adjustments made with this type of weighting are recorded in the weighting report file. For more information about the weighting report file, see
Weighting report file.
You can use this facility with target, factor, input or rim weighting. Preweights or postweights are not affected by adjustments made by this stage of the weighting process.
Note Use this facility with care. If minimum or maximum adjustment takes place it is possible that the targets or proportions defined in the matrix will not be met.
See also