The document discusses data editing in research projects. It explains that data collected through questionnaires may lack uniformity and have incomplete or inconsistent answers. The researcher must check the data for completeness and accuracy, and arrange it systematically - this is known as editing. Some key aspects of editing include clarifying responses, addressing omissions, avoiding bias, making judgments to complete incomplete answers, resolving handwriting issues, and recontacting respondents if needed for clarification. Editing can be done in the field immediately after data collection or later during in-house editing at a centralized location. The researcher edits the data when it is collected, if it contains errors or is incomplete, and arranges it properly.
3. In short, research refers to the body
of techniques for investigating
phenomena or processes, the
acquisition of new knowledge, or
modification and integration of
previous knowledge.
8. Information gathered during data collection may lack uniformity. An researcher
checks for completeness, accuracy, consistency of data, collection, and arranging the data
in a systematic manner this is known as Editing.
For example:-
Data collected through questionnaire and schedules may have answers
which may not be ticked at proper places, or some questions may be left unanswered. The
researcher has to take a decision as to how to edit it.
Literature meaning of Editing
10. • Clarify Responses:-
Bringing clarity is important otherwise the researcher can draw wrong inferences from
the data. Sometimes the respondents make some spelling and grammatical mistakes the editor needs
to correct them.
• Makes omissions :-
The researcher may also need to make some omissions in the responses. By chance or
by some mistake some responses are left incomplete, the editor has to see what has been an oversight
by the respondent. (Ex- illiterate people)
• Avoid biased editing :-
The researcher needs to be very objective and should not try to hide or remove any
information. He should not add anything in the responses without any sound reason.
Why Editing
11. • Make judgements :-
Sometimes the respondents leave something incomplete, to complete the
sentence or a phrase the editor has to make a judgement. He should have to have good judgement to
do so. He should do it so well that his personal bias do not involve in the responses.
• Check handwriting :-
Handwriting issues needs also be resolved by the editor. Some people write
very fast and in this way they write so that comprehension of the text becomes difficult. In
electronically sent questionnaires this problem never arises.
• Recontact the respondent :-
If some information is least comprehendible and no logical
meaning can be taken, interviewees can be re-contacted to know what they meant by that. In case, the
data in the questionnaire is not correct and the editor cannot take any meaning from it. The editor
should ask the respondents, recontact with them and get their help.
Continued..
12. • Field Editing :-
Field supervisors often are responsible for conducting preliminary field editing on
catch of technical omissions, and clarify responses on the same day as the interview is conducted
(example – blank page on an interview form.)
• In – House Editing :-
In – house editing through investigates the results of data collection is
centralized and perform the editing and coding functions.
( example – age or sex is not indicated the respondent is called to ensure information)
Where To Edit
13. • When :-
Basically when the research data is collected, it contained the physical errors, and when
data is in completed etc.
• What :-
An through investigation data and its complete survey of primary and secondary data
collection is edit when it is not arranged in the proper structure or in proper sequence.
• How :-
The researcher will do the editing through the computerized method by providing the set of
instruction and by the manually process.
When, What, How To Edit