FPDS Query Library
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Research Description

Human-readable description of the research-related competition value recorded for an IDV action. It is the text label paired with the underlying FPDS Research field, not the code itself.

Family: IDV
Category: Competition
Data Type: string
Semantic Type: description
Mapping: flattened_fpds_xml_field
AI Confidence: high

Variable Overview

FPDS Query Variable
content__IDV__competition__research__description
Title
Research Description
FPDS Path
IDV/competition/research/description
Description
Human-readable description of the research-related competition value recorded for an IDV action. It is the text label paired with the underlying FPDS Research field, not the code itself.
Business Meaning
This field helps analysts interpret competition records tied to research procurements, especially where the source data uses abbreviated or coded values. It supports cleaner classification of research-related acquisition activity and reduces misinterpretation of the underlying competition entry.
Example Value
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM PHASE III ACTION
Observed Non-Null Count
6,087

FPDS Compare

FPDS Query Variable
content__IDV__competition__research__description
FPDS XML Path
IDV/competition/research/description
Mapping Type
flattened_fpds_xml_field
Comparison Summary
FPDS Query flattens the original nested FPDS XML path 'IDV/competition/research/description' into the SQL-ready variable 'content__IDV__competition__research__description'.

Paired Field

Relationship
description_of
Variable
Research

Use Cases

  • Dictionary lookup and field explanation
  • SQL filtering and grouping
  • Analytical reporting and reusable query building
  • Competition and sole-source analysis

Common Usage

  • Translating coded competition values into readable labels
  • Reviewing research procurement activity for reporting
  • Validating whether a record reflects a specific research-related competition type

Common Mistakes

  • Using the description as if it were the canonical code
  • Grouping records only by text without checking the paired Research value

Query Guidance

Select this field for display or labeling, but use the paired coded Research field for joins, filters, and aggregations when possible. In SQL, normalize on the code field and treat this column as a descriptive attribute; if you must group by it, expect minor text variation across records.

SQL Examples

Preview values

SELECT
    content__IDV__competition__research__description AS research_description
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__IDV__competition__research__description IS NOT NULL
LIMIT 25

Top values

SELECT
    content__IDV__competition__research__description AS value,
    count() AS record_count
FROM fpds.data
WHERE content__IDV__competition__research__description IS NOT NULL
GROUP BY value
ORDER BY record_count DESC
LIMIT 25

Each dictionary item includes SQL-ready examples generated alongside the variable metadata, allowing immediate use in FPDS Query for filtering, aggregation, and analysis.