2. Data Processing
• Introduction
• Data processing is link between data
collection and data analysis. It is involves the
transformation of the observation gathered in
the field in to a system of categories and the
translation of these categories in to code
amenable to quantitative analysis.
• Then the codes are recorded in images
amenable to automatic data processing.
3. Constructing coding schemes
• Cording is the process of classifying responses
in to meaningful categories.
• It involves combining detailed information
into a limited number of categories that
enable simple description of the data and
allow for statistical analyses.
• The main purpose of coding is to simplifying
the handling of many individual responses by
classifying them into a smaller number of
groups, each including responses that are
similar in content.
• It can done by manually or computer (SPSS).
4. Eg; Suppose a researcher has gathered
information on the occupations of several
hundred of individuals.
• Lawyer
• Barber
• Carpenter
• Broker
• Elevator operator
• Veterinarian
• nurse
• Farm worker
• Executive
• Teacher
• Electrician
• Advertising agent
• These data are not amenable to analysis
without prior reduction some system of
categories.
• One acceptable way to classify them is
according to the following categories.
1. Professional and managerial: Lawyer,
veterinarian, executive, teacher.
2. Technical and sales: advertising agent,
broker.
3. Service and skilled labour: barber,
operator, nurse, electrician, carpenter.
4. Unskilled labour: migrant farm worker
5. Inductive and deductive coding
• Inductive cording means recording the data as
closely as possible to their original detail
postponing categorization.
Eg. What is your educational qualification?
(open ended question). Use in pilot study.
• The deductive approached requires that data
be recorded according to some preconceived
scheme that applied as the record is being
made. Eg; No school,
Year 1-5, ……..
• Most common method in research.
6. Advantages and disadvantages
• Both the deductive and the inductive approaches
have their respective shortcomings and
advantages.
• The deductive method has been criticized for
violating the continuity and complexity of
behaviour.
• Omission of descriptive details may limit.
• But, this approach alerts observers to the
dynamics of the situation by directing their
attention to predefine and established concepts.
7. Adva …and dis adva..
• The chief advantage of the inductive approach is
its flexibility and richness, which enable the
researcher to generate explanations from the
findings.
• It allows for a variety of coding schemes to be
applied to the same observation.
• It often suggests new categories.
• But, researchers may be overloaded by the mass
of details when they try to explain the data.
8. Criteria of Coding Schemes
Whatever methods of cording is employed
,inductive or deductive whether the coding
scheme are the same;
• Link to the theory
• Exhaustiveness,
• Mutual exclusiveness, and
• Detail. - how many categories should marry
