1. Coding Preparing The Research for Data Entry

2. Coding (defined) Coding is the process of converting questionnaire responses into a form that a computer analysis software package can recognize

3. The Purpose of A Codebook A codebook provides a template for how the numerical data will be entered into the statistical software program

4. Tasks Necessary for Data Entry Create a codebook based on the research instrument Prepare completed questionnaires for data entry Create the codebook template using the selected software program

5. Step 1: How To Create a Codebook Start with a blank copy of the questionnaire Assign questions and/or response set options a variable name and numerical value

6. Coding Decisions Coding decisions that should be made BEFORE data input begins include –Non-responses –Multiple responses when only one selection was required –Open-ended questions

7. Coding Decisions Open-ended questions should be assigned response values as closed- ended questions would This requires identifying consensus themes and assigning numerical references to each

8. Step 2: Preparing Questionnaires Once the codebook is completed, questionnaires should be compiled and assigned a case number

9. Step 3: Creating A Coding Template A “Case” –All data from one completed questionnaire –Represented by rows on the software template A “Variable” –Data on one question item across respondent questionnaires –Represented by columns on the software template

10. Step 3: Creating A Coding Template The ‘Data Address’ –Represents a specific respondent’s answer to a particular variable –An intersection between a row and a column on the template spreadsheet

11. ‘Smooth’ Coding Requires written instructions for consistency in understanding across the research team Training and then some –For inter-coder reliability Manual, followed by digital coding*

12. Other Issues In Coding Software –Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Data Transfer Accuracy –Visual spot checks help avoid ‘miscodes’