Free Tips for your data management

Setting up your data file

When setting up your data file always use one row for each case (subject, person)

A key concept for data coding is that groups can have names that are numbers (e.g. Males = 1, Females = 2).  The numbers are arbitrary they could easily be Males = 45 and females = 97.  For data entry, single key strokes save time.

Think about what blanks and zeros mean.  Blanks are the most problematic part of many data files.  If the measure was a zero, record a zero.  If no measurement was taken, code for a missing value.  Occasionally there are missing values, but the reasons are known.  For example you can code for “did not finish” = DNF, and “did not attempt” = DNA

 

File compatibility

Microsoft office products are compatible with modern statistical software.

Cut and paste features function well as do export/import procedures.

If you have your data in some MS Office product, chances are the data can be imported easily