Approach to Data Processing & Analysis

Question 1

Describe the 8 Steps and Approach to Data Analysis.

Answer 1

1. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the
   data set
2. Draft an analysis plan
3. Create a working copy of the data set
4. Look at the actual data in the data set
5. Clean the data in the working file
6. Revise and add detail to the analysis plan
7. Create an analysis file
8. Follow the analysis plan to analyze the data

Question 2

What is coding?

Answer 2

Coding = process of translating information gathered from questionnaires or other sources into something that can be analyzed.

 assigning a value to the information given (value may be given a label)
 Coding can make data more consistent: – Example: Question = Gender
Answers = Male or Female, M or F, 1 or 2?

Question 3

State the 3 steps of data cleaning

Answer 3

1. Screen
2. Diagnose
3. Resolve

Question 4

What do we screen for?

Answer 4

–Duplicate records
– Invalid and out-of-range codes
– Missing data
– Outliers (unlikely values)
– Lack of variability
– Unlikely patterns, including
reverse polarity
– Skip pattern checks
– Logic checks

Question 5

How do we resolve issues during data cleaning?

Answer 5

• Change to correct, valid value
  – Leave unchanged
  – Flag as permanently questionable
  – Flag as permanently missing
  – Delete record

Question 6

What do we look for in terms of diagnosis?

Answer 6

Go back to the original data
source, if possible
– Error– Missing data– True extreme– Cannot determine

Question 7

What is ana analysis plan based on?

Answer 7

Analysis Plan is based on what question(s) you need to answer, what information you want to communicate, and what data you have