Sample files may contain transcripts of more than one verbal sample. Using the method described in the preceding section to mark the end and beginning of a sample (lines of equal signs), a user may place several samples into a single file. These samples can be taken from the same subject or different subjects -- each is treated independently. This feature is offered only as a convenience, to enable a batch of samples to be scored in a single session.
To illustrate this concept, here is a (very brief) example of a multi-sample file. The file text runs down the left side of the page with (non-scorabel) comments at the end of lines.
==================== ;; Flag "end of sample".
Subject: Adolfo ;; Non-scorable material
Age: 25 ;; describing following
Gender: Female ;; sample.
==================== ;; Switch back to new
I don't know what to say. I'm happy to help ;; sample.
with this study, but I don't know what to ;; Sample 1 text.
talk about. Thanks for the chance.
==================== ;; Flag "end of sample".
Subject: Adolfo ;; Non-scorable
Age: 42 ;; descriptive
Gender: Male ;; material.
======================================= ;; Start second sample.
I enjoy doing this. I'm a willing volunteer,/ ;; Sample 2 text.
though I've run out of interesting things to
talk about. I told you about my divorce and
suicide attempts, but that's all behind me now.
=======================================End sample 2.
There is a limit to the number of samples that PCAD will handle in a single file. This limit is determined by the total number of words in the file, and so will vary with the size of the samples. If an error is received because a multiple-sample file is too long, try removing samples to shorten it.