THE BASE 32 METHOD: AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR CODING SIBLING CONSTELLATIONS*

Coding the sibling constellation of genograms has traditionally required that at least one data space be allotted for each child in the sibling group. Space requirements, given a large number of families, can become prohibitive for the researcher and practitioner using a microcomputer to store family data. A new coding method that utilizes binary and base 32 numbers is offered. That method, called the Base 32 Method, yields a space savings of about 33% over the traditional coding method for families with three children, with savings increasing to 70% for families with ten or more children. Consequent space savings will allow computer-using researchers and practitioners to store and analyze much larger amounts of family data and to test statistical hypotheses about such data with increased efficiency and speed of execution.