What does Dash Response indicate?

• A. Indicates no information is available for an item.
• B. Indicates the item was not attempted
• C. Indicates information is available
• D. Indicates the item is optional

Answer: (A)

A dash means there is no information available for that item. In the OASIS data set, a dash is used when the required data isn’t documented and couldn’t be obtained during the assessment. It’s not signaling that the item wasn’t attempted or that it’s optional; it simply marks missing data. If later information becomes available, you should update the item with the actual response; otherwise the dash remains as missing data.