def read_input(self, input_data, data_format):
        """
        Reads the input data and converts to common format
        input_data - the output from one of the input classes (ie CSVInput)
        data_format - the format of the data.  See utils.input.dataformats
        """
        if data_format not in self.input_formats:
            raise Exception("Input format {0} not available with this class. Available formats are {1}.".format(data_format, self.input_formats))
        data_converter = getattr(self, "from_" + data_format)
        self.data = data_converter(input_data)