Research Methodology: Editing and Coding

1. PROCESSING DATA
Editing & Coding

2. What is processing data?
 The collected data in research is processed and analysed
to come to some conclusion or to verify the hypothesis
made.
 processing of data technically means
EDITING
CODING
CLASSIFICATION
TABULATION

3. EDITING OF DATA
 Information gathered during data collection may lack
uniformity.
 A researcher check for completeness, accuracy and
consistency of data , collection and arranging the data in a
systematic manner is known as Editing.
 It consist of scrutinising the completed research instrument to
identify and minimise the errors, gaps, etc.

4. PRINCIPLES OF EDITING
 Checking of the number of schedule/ questionnaire
 Completeness
 Legibility
 To avoid inconsistencies in answers.
 To maintain degree of uniformity.
 To eliminate irrelevant responses.

5. PURPOSE OF EDITING
 For consistency between and among responses.
 For completeness in responses to reduce effects of
items.
 To better utilize questions answered out of order.
 To facilitate the coding process.

6. TYPES OF EDITING
1) FIELD EDITING :
It relates to abbreviate or illegible written form of
gathered data, which is effective when done on the same or after
the interview.
2) CENTRAL EDITING :
It relates to time when all data collection process has
been completed. Here the single editor corrects the errors like
entry in the wrong unit or place etc.
As a rule, wrong answer should be dropped from the final
results.

7. CODING
 Transforming raw data into symbols (usually numbers) for
tabulating and analysing.
 The way you want to communicate the findings about a
variable to your readers.

8. PURPOSE OF CODING MANUAL
In qualitative data analysis, the purpose of coding manual is
1. To briefly discuss the functions of codes.
2. To profile a selected repertoire of coding methods.
3. To provide a reader sources, descriptions, examples etc.
Coding can be done manually or electronic

9. SUMMARIZING THE DATA
Data master sheet:
 The hand processed raw data can be summarized in the data
master sheet to facilitate the data analysis efficiently.
Compilation by hand: ( without master sheet)
 It is efficient when the sample is small and the collected data
is limited.
 To ensure the accuracy and speed
1. manual sorting
2. tally counting

10. Computer compilation
 The larger the sample, the greater the beneficial of computer
use.
 It consist of the following steps:
1. choosing an appropriate computer program :
Epi info – Data entry and analysis
LOTUS 1-2-3 – Spreadsheet program
2. Data entry:
To enter data, data entry format is developed and the
information need to be coded.
Eg: Female – 1 & Male - 2

11. 3. Verification:
The print out can be checked visually for obvious error.
4. Programming:
To analyse data , it is important to communicate effectively
with computer personnel
Eg: Name , location & subject
5. Computer output:
All of analysis and results can be printed by computer but
the report produced should be decided.
Eg: table , graph & statistical test etc.