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Overview of EpiInfo 6. Dr. Troy Gepte. Why do we use Statistical Software?. Convenience Accuracy Guides data collection Ensures that data is processed Facilitates the use of coding. EpiInfo 6. A Word Processing, Database and Statistical Software Package for Public Health and Epidemiology
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Overview of EpiInfo 6 Dr. Troy Gepte
Why do we use Statistical Software? • Convenience • Accuracy • Guides data collection • Ensures that data is processed • Facilitates the use of coding
EpiInfo 6 • A Word Processing, Database and Statistical Software Package for Public Health and Epidemiology • This suite of programs was developed jointly by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for field investigations into public health. • Freeware
EpiInfo 6 • Can be downloaded from www.cdc.gov in three diskettes (1 disk per file) • Most recent version is EpiInfo 6.04d (January 2001) – for faster computers; this version fixed the bugs in the previous versions • Runs on DOS and Windows • Requires about 10 MB of memory • Not compatible with 64-bit Windows operating systems.
Screen Shots of EpiInfo 6 • Main Menu • EPED – Word Processor • ENTER – Database Program • ANALYSIS – Statistical Program
What can we do with it? • Construct databases • Enter and manage data • Analyze data • Make graphs and maps
Basic Entry and Analytical Principles • GIGO • Reap what you sow • One can drown in data • After data collection and entry, what was it really that I wanted to do in the first place?
Programs within EpiInfo 6 • EPED: the EPidemiologic text EDitor • ENTER: for data entry • ANALYSIS: for statistical analysis and reporting • IMPORT: for importing data files from other database programs • EXPORT: for exporting data to other database and statistical programs • STATCALC: a statistical calculator • EPITABLE: an alternative statistical calculator
Data Entry • Questionnaire Files: • Before creating a data file in Epi Info, you must first create a questionnaire (QES) file. • This QES files will serve as the template for your data entry screen and data base. • QES files can be created with any ASCII text editor, such as Epi Info's text editor (EPED) or Windows NOTEPAD. • However, they must always end with the file extension .QES.
Data Entry (cont) • Regardless of what editor program you use to create QES files, these files should contain: • (1) Survey questions and instructions(2) Variable names(3) Variable indicator codes • Survey questions and instructions should be brief, clear, non-leading, and unambiguous. • Variable names must start with a letter and can contain no more than 10 characters. • Your variable names should be descriptive and, to avoid confusion, should be enclosed in {curley brackets}.
Data Entry (cont) • Variable indicator codes define the type and length of the variable being created. The most common variable indicator codes are: • Indicator CodeData Type # Numeric integer #.# Numeric real ___ Alphanumeric <A> Alphanumeric, upper case only <Y> "Yes / no" (binary) <mm/dd/yyyy> Date, American <dd/mm/yyyy> Date, European
Data Management • Record Files: • QES files are used to create REC files, which in turn, are used to store data. To create an empty REC file: • Start the ENTER program from the Programs menu • Type the name of the REC file you want to create into the first field on the screen • Press the Tab key to get to the next field • Select option 2 to create a new data file • Enter the name of the QES file which will form the basis of the REC file • Press the Tab key • Type "Y"
Data Management (cont) • A REC file that looks like the QES file used to create it will now appear on screen. • Data are entered into the blank fields on this screen by the user. • After entering each record, the user types Y to store the data permanently. • Function-keys are used to navigate existing REC files. • A function-key menu appears on the bottom the data entry screen. • The <Ctrl-F> key-combination is used to find a particular record • <F6> is used to delete a record • <F7> travels up one record (think "7 up") • <F8> travels down one record • <F10> quits the ENTER program
Data Management (cont) • Researchers often need to share data with colleagues using database and statistical programs other than Epi Info. • Since most of these data programs use proprietary file formats, a minor obstacle is encountered when trying to exchange data among different programs. • Fortunately, Epi Info has data translators (EXPORT and IMPORT) to assist in getting around this potential obstacle.
Data Management (cont) • To exchange data between software programs, find a file format that is common to both programs (dBASE (DBF) or Lotus worksheet (WKS) file-formats)
Summarizing dataandObtaining Inference from statistical tests
EpiInfo ANALYSIS Program • Epi Info's ANALYSIS program is used to manage, print, summarize, and analyze data. • After starting ANALYSIS from the Programs menu, your computer screen will be divided into an Output Window (above) and Command Window (below). • A Status Line showing the name of the active data set and free memory appears above the Output Window, and a Function Key Menu is below the Command Window.
EpiInfo ANALYSIS (cont) • ANALYSIS, itself, is command driven. There are commands for: • file processing (e.g. READ) • output control (e.g. ROUTE output to screen vs. printer) • variable manipulation (e.g. SELECT) • statistical analysis (e.g. FREQ, MEANS, TABLES). • A list of commands is assessed by pressing <F2>. • Commands are either typed at the command prompt (EPI6>) or sent to the command line by highlighting them from the <F2> menu and pressing Enter.
Things to do in Epi6 • Computing for means, medians and modes • Using range and standard deviations • Constructing tables: • Frequency distributions • Cross-tabulations • Making graphs and maps • Performing statistical tests
Inferential statistics • Choosing the appropriate test statistic and epidemiologic measure of association (risk ratio/odds ratio) • Computing for: • p-value • 95% confidence interval • Interpreting the result of the test for significance
Workshop • The class is free to work in groups. • Each group will work on one case study. • Read through the case study and follow instructions. • Use EpiInfo 6 to analyze the dataset used in the case study. • Divide the work of who will be doing: • descriptive assessment of the data; and, • further analysis and/or statistical tests. • Answer the questions in the case study. • Present to the class in plenary..
EpiInfo ANALYSIS • Workshop Exercises: • OSWEGO.REC • CALUMPIT.REC • JAIL2.REC
Reviewing Epi6 • Review Questions: • What program is used to create QES files? • What functions do QES files serve? • What program is used to create REC files? • What function do REC files serve? • Describe DOS file naming conventions. • Describe Epi Info variable naming conventions.
Review Questions: • How does Epi Info assign variable names? • What type of Epi Info variables are used to store numeric data? • What type of Epi Info variables can be used to store categorical (qualitative) data? • What Epi Info programs can open (i.e., work with) REC files?
Answers: • 1. EPED or any other ASCII text editor.2. QES files structure data entry screens and REC files.3. ENTER4. They store data.5. DOS files use 8 character filenames and three letter extensions. The extension identifies the file's type.6. Epi Info variable names must begin with a letter and may be no more than 10 characters in length.7. Unless the variable name is identified within {curly brackets}, Epi Info will take the 10 characters preceding a variable indicator as the variable's name.8. Numeric integer (#) and numeric real (#.#).9. Text (_), upper case text (<A>), or numeric (#) if data are numerically encoded (e.g., 1 = male, 2 = female).10. ENTER, ANALYSIS, and EXPORT