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One-hot encode categorical variables

Source: R/04_03_statistical_one_hot_encode.R
one_hot_encode.Rd

This function converts one or more categorical variables in a data frame into one-hot encoded variables.

Usage

one_hot_encode(data, vars, keep_all = TRUE)

Arguments

data

A data frame containing the variables to encode.

vars

Variables to one-hot encode.

keep_all

Logical; if TRUE, returns full dataset; if FALSE, returns only one-hot encoded variables.

Value

A data frame with one-hot encoded variables.

  • If keep_all = TRUE, the full dataset is returned with one-hot encoded variables replacing originals.

  • If keep_all = FALSE, only one-hot encoded variables are returned.

Details

  • Binary factors labeled Unchecked/Checked are encoded as a single 0–1 variable.

  • Multi-category factors are expanded into multiple one-hot encoded variables (one per level).

  • Original variable labels are preserved and extended to the generated one-hot encoded variables.

Examples

# One-hot encode region and Q1_1 while keeping all original variables
data <- one_hot_encode(data = data, c(region, Q1_1))
#> Error: These packages are required but not installed: tidyselect, dplyr, stringr

# One-hot encode region and Q1_1, returning only the encoded columns
data_new <- one_hot_encode(data = data, c(region, Q1_1), keep_all = FALSE)
#> Error: These packages are required but not installed: tidyselect, dplyr, stringr