code: def get_dictionary(self):
          
  
          # output
          k = list()
          d = dict()
  
          # loop over the root items
          for i in range(self._widget.topLevelItemCount()):
  
              # grab the parameter item, and start building the name
              x = self._widget.topLevelItem(i).param
  
              # now start the recursive loop
              self._get_parameter_dictionary('', d, k, x)
  
          return k, d
docs: Returns the list of parameters and a dictionary of values
          (good for writing to a databox header!)
  
          Return format is sorted_keys, dictionary