The IFs program has several indexes which the user may find helpful in conducting research. However, the program also has the capacity to allow the user to generate his own indexes, should the need arise. The indexes created here are accessible in both the Full Variable/Parameter Selection box and in Flex Packaged Display.

The country selected for this example is Venezuela, with the index HDI2. Notice that the index is composed of three variables: GDPPCP, LIT, and LIFEXP. To delete a given variable, simply double-click on one. To add more variables, go to Equation Options and select Add More Variables. A promt will appear to enter the list name, and after entering in a name, the user is able to select variables to add to the index. Make sure to select the same country for which the index is being created. Select TFR, or Total Fertility Rate. Then, click on Back to Index Creation.

The scaling factors represent the range of the values contained within the variables. The minimum values are in the first row, while the maximum values are in the second. While the IFs program automatically enters in the minimum and maximum values, the user is able to manually change the minimum and maximum values, should the need arise. The user can change the values either by clicking on a value, or by selecting Scaling, located in the bar at the top of the screen. By selecting Scaling, the user is also able to adjust the time horizon for the values: ethe entire time horizon, the base year, or Other, which allows the user to select between 2 and 95 years. Note that changing the minimum and maximum values will result in corresponding changes in the equation near the bottom of the screen.

Adjusting the Weight Factors will give one or more variables greater weight in relation to the other values. Type in the desired weight, and click Update Eq. The adjusted weight will appear in the equation.

Selecting Transformation Rules allows the user to select between logarithms, linear, base 10, and manually-entered rules for transformation.

Valence refers to whether a higher number or lower number is preferable in the index. The “+” sign denotes a higher number as preferable, while a “–“ denotes a lower number as preferable.

After entering in the name for the new index, go to Save Options to either save and continue using the model, or to just save.