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DATA PREPARATION and storage. Part 3. Data storing. Once data are collected, they must be store d in a way that allows processing/analysis. A pile of paper with data is useless!. Data storing. Software requirements. For any type of analysis of macro or micro data: Excel (must) SPSS
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DATA PREPARATION and storage Part 3
Data storing Once data are collected, they must bestored in a way that allows processing/analysis. A pile of paper with data is useless!
Software requirements For any type of analysis of macro or micro data: • Excel (must) • SPSS • Stata • R
Coding – closed questions Example What is your gender? • Male • Female Will be coded, e.g. as ‘1’ for male ‘2’ for female
Coding – open questions Ex-post coding needed – responsibility of the researcher • Read all the questions and list all possible answers (normally, groups of same/similar answers can be spotted) • Assign a code to each answer category • Enter the codes into the database
Coding – missing values • ‘Missing’ means that a persons did not reply for different reasons • Even such answers must be coded, e.g. -7 = no answer -8 = do not know -9 = not applicable (filtered)
Codebook • To easily understand the data … • Create a codebook, where all the variables are assigned • Variable name • Variable label • Category codes • Category labels
Data entry • Directly codes entered into the database …or • Data entry mask is used (e.g. survey monkey) • Variable ID always needed for each respondent • Check for errors!!
Example – various questions Closed question What applies to your current employment situation? 1. I am currently employed → code 1 2. I do not have a work, but I am looking for it → code 2 3. I do not have a work, but I am not looking for it → code 3
Example – various questions Open question What applies to your current employment situation? I work from time to time I am a public employee I am working for a Ministry I started my own business I am searching for work I am working on my own I have a job, but I do not like it and I am looking for another one I help out at home What would you do?