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MSTK 10c - Preparing Quantitative and Qualitative Data For Entry - Analysis

This document provides guidance on preparing qualitative and quantitative data for analysis. It outlines 5 steps for preparing qualitative data which include reading transcripts to identify themes, developing a coding scheme, applying codes to the data, grouping coded data extracts, and identifying patterns across groups. It also outlines 6 steps for preparing quantitative data which include ensuring data quality, coding variables, training data enterers, entering numerical data, dealing with missing values, and documenting data cleaning methods.

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Naveed Ullah
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72 views

MSTK 10c - Preparing Quantitative and Qualitative Data For Entry - Analysis

This document provides guidance on preparing qualitative and quantitative data for analysis. It outlines 5 steps for preparing qualitative data which include reading transcripts to identify themes, developing a coding scheme, applying codes to the data, grouping coded data extracts, and identifying patterns across groups. It also outlines 6 steps for preparing quantitative data which include ensuring data quality, coding variables, training data enterers, entering numerical data, dealing with missing values, and documenting data cleaning methods.

Uploaded by

Naveed Ullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MSTK Tool 10c: PREPARING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA

FOR ENTRY & ANALYSIS


STEPS IN PREPARING QUALITATIVE DATA FOR ANALYSIS:

1. Read and annotate transcripts to gather preliminary observations.

2. Identify themes by noting what the interviewee is referring to throughout each transcript or
set of notes. Go beyond summarizing the text to try to think about what the text is an
example of. Number the lines in the transcript or set of notes to make it easy to refer to
each segment of data when coding or discussing it with teammates. As you review the data,
compile a list of themes.

3. As a team, develop a coding scheme by assigning numbers (or codes) to each


identified theme. Each thematic code can have a number of sub codes. Try to develop the
coding scheme as soon as initial data is collected to help shape later data collection,
ensuring that the right questions are asked of the right people. Working collaboratively in
teams to develop the coding scheme helps avoid individual bias.

4. Apply the codes to the whole set of data, by either writing codes on the transcripts or
notes or marking the text in a computer software. Notes: The same line(s) of data may be
coded in several different ways, from basic codes to categories that reflect broader analytic
themes. It is normal to amend the coding scheme as the whole set of data is reviewed in
detail. Code the whole data set to ensure comprehensive analysis.

5. After the coding scheme has been applied to the entire data set, ‘cut and paste’ codes into
groups by code. This removes data extracts from their original context and groups them
together with other examples of data on the same topic revealing patterns across the data.
Copies of notes or transcripts can be cut with scissors and pasted together on large sheets
of paper or this process can be done using a computer. Be sure to keep track of where the
extracts originally came from.

The patterns and relationships identified in each code, or theme, is the basis of reporting. In
addition to these patterns, take care not to lose the narrative of data collected, as the story
can sometimes get lost. In addition, it may be helpful to go deeper into some cases to
understand how identified themes interrelate.

Validating Qualitative Data


To ensure that findings made through interpretation of qualitative data are trusted,
project teams should consider the following strategies:

• Maintain detailed records of all the interviews and group discussions and
document the process of analysis that was undertaken;
• For any specific topic, undertake group-to-group validation. Whenever a
topic comes up, it generates a consistent level of energy among a consistent
proportion of the participants across nearly all the groups;

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• Compare findings from different interviews and focus groups. If they
coincide, that strengthens credibility that important issues have been identified.
Remember, though, that people talk about things very differently in different
contexts: any differences you find are an important source of data in
themselves;
• Conduct checking by feeding findings of the analysis back to the
participants, through focus groups for example, and assessing how far they
consider them to reflect the issues from their perspective;
• Understand deviant cases (those that don't fit with findings), and account for
why they differ. Explaining this will strengthen analysis.

STEPS FOR PREPARING QUANTITATIVE DATA FOR ANALYSIS:

1. Nominate a person and set a procedure to ensure the quality of data entry.

2. Code and label variables. The structure of the question will determine if each question
requires one variable or multiple variables in the database. Create a single variable for
questions that allow for only one answer. If there are multiple responses allowed for a
question, create one variable for each possible response. The data enterers will enter the
number corresponding to each response.

3. Train data enterers on the questionnaire format and database structure, including any
potential errors in the data. Data enterers should recheck their data frequently and
supervisors should perform spot checks to ensure accuracy. A data enterer should initial
the questionnaire and save the database once its been entered into the database.

4. Enter numerical variables in a spreadsheet or database

5. Deal with missing values. It is important to differentiate between a nil response and
missing data. Nil is a zero (0) value. Missing data are data that were not recorded in the
questionnaire. Missing data may occur if each question does not apply to every respondent
(due to skip rules), if respondents chose not to answer a question, or due to human error
during data collection. It is standard practice to designate 999 to represent missing data.

6. Ensure data cleaning methods are well documented and applied consistently. Make sure
each questionnaire is assigned a unique identification number which is captured (and never
repeated) in the database. If any identification numbers are missing in the database, return
to the paper copy to understand why. Check to make sure that missing values are not the
result of data entry error.

Adapted from: Guidance on M&E. CRS. 2012, and Patton and Cochran. MSF. 2002.

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