MICS DATA PROCESSING
Data Entry Editing
REMEMBER AND REMIND YOUR FIELD STAFF:
The best place to correct data is in the field where the respondent is available to resolve inconsistencies. Once the questionnaires reach the office, the best you can do is to apply consistently fully and carefully specified editing guidelines.
Timing of Editing
Before data entry– Interviewer– Field editor– Office editor
During data entry– Date entry operator (with training and
supervision) After data entry
– Secondary editor
General Rules for Resolving Inconsistencies
Review all pertinent responses in the questionnaire(s).– For skips check responses preceding and following.
Refer to the editing guidelines Do not make up an answer - if necessary, use
codes for inconsistent or missing Change the fewest pieces of information Leave the inconsistency without correction and
document the inconsistency for users
Data Editing Philosophy
Field Editing– Interviewer or field editor
Using field editing manual can be fully corrected
Office Editing - Use editing guidelines– Office editor
ID and structure errors only
– DE personnel Check for data entry errors; resolve only structural inconsistencies
– Secondary editor Investigate and resolve (sometimes by taking no action) all
inconsistencies
Defining the Editing Specifications
Carefully review the questionnaire Define the edits
– What is the possible inconsistency?– How should the inconsistency be handled
during data entry?– How should the inconsistency be handled
during secondary editing?
A Simple Example
The number of eligible women (HH12) can’t be larger than the number of household members (HH11)Q1. Should we check for this inconsistency
during data entry?Q2. Should it be resolved during data entry?Q3. What should the editing guidelines say?
How Do We Handle the Inconsistency?
A1. Yes, we should check:PROC HH12
if HH12 > HH11 then
errmsg(0015);
reenter
endif;
A2. Yes, it must be resolved; both variables structurally important– HH11 controls entries in household listing– HH12 controls number of women’s questionnaires
How is the Inconsistency Resolved?
A3. Data entry operator:– check for data entry errors
correct any that are found
– if no data entry error found count number of household members in household
listing count number of eligible women in household
listing correct HH11 and/or HH12 based on counts
A Complex Example
A woman’s age (WM9) and date of birth (WM8M and WM8Y) must be consistentQ1. Should we check for this inconsistency
during data entry?Q2. Should it be resolved during data entry?Q3. What should the editing guidelines say?
How Does One Handle the Inconsistency?
A1. Yes, we should checkA2. No, inconsistency need not be resolved
– while age and DOB are both critically important, this inconsistency is to complex and time consuming for data entry
A3. Correct data entry errors only– This inconsistency will be resolved during
secondary editing
Contents of the Editing Guidelines
Message number, type and text An explanation of the problem Suggestions for correction or
recommendation to make no changes
Error Message Numbers
Error message numbers have 4 positions– position 1: questionnaire type
0 = HH, 1 = WM, 2 = UF
– position 2: module sequential order of module inside questionnaire
type
– positions 3-4: unique ID within questionnaire type and module
Some exceptions to the rules
Types of Error Message
Unusual cases; may need correcting
Secondary editing
M
Probably needs correctionSecondary editing
E
Check for keying errorsData entryW
Should be correctedData entryD
StatusTimingCode
Editing Guidelines
For each inconsistency:– explain its nature if error message doesn’t
make it clear– explain how to handle the inconsistency
during data entry (if applicable)– explain how to handle the inconsistency
during secondary editing (if applicable)– in resolution explanations, list all related
variables that should be examined
Modifying the Editing Guidelines
Add editing guidelines for your country specific questions added to the MICS questionnaire
Modify the standard guidelines only after careful consideration by subject specialists
Document any changes to the standard guidelines
Ensure that all processing staff use the manual and apply it consistently
Adding an Edit
Add logic to the data entry application Add message text to the message file Add message to the editing guidelines
REMEMBER AND REMIND YOUR FIELD STAFF:
The best place to correct data is in the field where the respondent is available to resolve inconsistencies. Once the questionnaires reach the office, the best you can do is to consistently apply fully and carefully specified editing guidelines.