Data Management:
Quantifying Data & Planning Your
Analysis
Dr. Zahid Hameed
Department of Management Sciences,
KFUEIT
Planning for Analysis
Type of Type of
Data Formatting
Type of
Analysis
Planning for Analysis
A sound research plan successfully matches
these elements with the proper techniques
Collect the type of data that is most appropriate
to answering your question and fits the other
parameters of your project (budget, personnel,
etc.)
Type of Data & Analysis
Quantitative Data
– Counts, frequencies, tallies
– Statistical analyses (as appropriate)
Qualitative Data
– Coding
– Patterns, themes, theory building
Combination
– Process each element as appropriate
Quantifying Data
Coding
Processing
Quantifying Data
Before we can do any kind of analysis, we
need to quantify our data
“Quantification” is the process of converting
data to a numeric format
– Convert social science data into a “machine-
readable” form, a form that can be read &
manipulated by computer programs
Quantifying Data
Some transformations are simple:
Assign numeric representations to nominal or
ordinal variables:
– Turning male into “1” and female into “2”
– Assigning “3” to Very Interested, “2” to Somewhat
Interested, “1” to Not Interested
Assign numeric values to continuous variables:
– Turning born in 1973 to “35”
– Number of children = “02”
Developing Code Categories
Some data are more challenging. Open-ended
responses must be coded.
Two basic approaches:
– Begin with a coding scheme derived from the
research purpose.
– Generate codes from the data.
Coding Quantitative Data
Goal – reduce a wide variety of information to a
more limited set of variable attributes:
– “What is your occupation?”
Use pre-established scheme: Professional, Managerial,
Clerical, Semi-skilled, etc.
Create a scheme after reviewing the data
Assign value to each category in the scheme: Professional
= 1, Managerial = 2, etc.
Classify the response: “Secretary” is “clerical” and is coded
as “3”
Coding Quantitative Data
Points to remember:
– If the data are coded to maintain a good amount of
detail, they can always be combined (reduced) later
– However, if you start off with too little detail, you
can’t get it back
– If you’re using a survey / questionnaire, it’s a good
idea to do your coding on the form so that it can be
entered properly (i.e. create a “codebook”)
Codebook Construction
Purposes:
Primary guide used in the coding process.
– Should note the value assigned to each variable
attribute (response)
Guide for locating variables and interpreting
codes in the data file during analysis.
If you’re doing your own input, this will also
guide data set construction
Planning your analysis
Proper planning will make things easier later
Take good notes on any transformations, etc.
that you do
Save all the elements of your analysis
programs
