Manual Data Capture Key Entry UNSD-UNESCAP Regional

Manual Data Capture – Key Entry UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Key Entry data capture Fo rm s To Data Capture To Data File UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Key Entry – Main characteristics o o Computer-assisted keyboard data entry usually uses personal computer data entry programs with built-in logical controls. Some of the tasks accomplished by the programs are: n n n n Verifying that EA codes are valid and copying them automatically from one record to the next; Assigning a number to each person in a household automatically and to each household within an EA; Switching record types automatically if required; Checking that variable values are always within pre-determined ranges; Skipping fields if the logic indicates doing so; Supporting keyboard verification of the information entered earlier; Generating summary statistics for the operator and the batch. UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Key Entry – Main characteristics o Coding complex classifications (occupation, industry, education) can be included in a computer-assisted keyboard data entry application, o Or a clerical process prior to keying to assign the classification class to be key entered. o In order not to delay the data capture task, data entry applications should limit checking to problems that are: n n n Either very serious (for example, wrong EA code), Or likely to be caused by a simple misread or key entry mistake. More sophisticated checking is deferred until the editing stage. UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Key Entry – Main characteristics o This method requires relatively simple software systems (if complex coding not included) o Requires many more staff than automated data capture method o More elapsed time to complete. UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Key Entry – Elements for decision o Decision to use manual entry versus automated entry may take into account: n Timetable requirements n Relativities between staff and hardware costs. n Possibility to implement more sophisticated technology o Where staff costs are low and computing infrastructure is moderate, keyed entry may be the optimal method. UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Key Entry – Software o Basic key entry programmes: n Used in-house or outsourced o Software packages: n Cs. Pro n. . . o User specific applications: n Developed in-house or outsourced UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008

Thank You UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving Bangkok, Thailand, 15 -19 September 2008