Quick, Call the FUZZ:  Using Fuzzy Logic

SAS® practitioners are frequently called up on to do a comparison of data between two different data sets and find that the values in synonymous fields do not line up exactly. A second quandary occurs when there is one data source to search for particular values, but those values are contained in character fields in which the values can be represented in myriad different ways. This paper discusses robust, if not warm and fuzzy, techniques for comparing data between, and selecting data in, SAS data sets in not so ideal conditions.

Bored-Room Buster Bingo: Create Bingo Cards Using SAS ODS Graphics

Let’s admit it! We have all been on a conference call that just … well to be honest, it was just bad. Your misery could be caused by any number of reasons – or multiple reasons! The audio quality was bad, the conversation got sidetracked and focus of the meeting was no longer what it was intended, there could have been too much background noise, someone hasn’t muted their laptop and is breathing heavily – the list goes on ad nauseum. Regardless of why the conference call is less than satisfactory, you want it to end, but professional etiquette demands that you remain on the call. We have the answer – SAS®-generated Conference Call Bingo! Not only is Conference Call Bingo entertaining, but it also keeps you focused on the conversation and enables you to obtain the pertinent information the conference call may offer.

This paper and presentation introduce a method of using SAS to create custom Conference Call Bingo cards, moving through brainstorming and collecting entries for Bingo cards, random selection of items, and the production of bingo cards using SAS reporting techniques and the Graphic Template Language (GTL). (You are on your own for the chips and additional entries based on your own painful experiences)! The information presented is appropriate for all levels of SAS programming and all industries.

About the Presenters

Richann Watson is an independent statistical programmer and CDISC consultant based in Ohio.  She has been using SAS since 1996 and specializes in analyzing clinical trial data and implementing CDISC standards.  She is a member of the CDISC ADaM team and various sub-teams.  She has presented numerous papers, posters, and training seminars at various conferences.  Richann holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science and master’s degree in statistics.



Louise Hadden presented at her first SAS conference in 1996 and has never looked back, presenting at multiple conferences across the continent over the years. She supports analytic processing at Abt Associates Inc., a social science research company, and specializes in reporting, data management, and data visualization in the division of health and environment. Most recently her work portfolio has included large scale surveillance projects for the CDC and claims-based quality measure development, as well as the creation of data visualizations.