 Working
through the Data
6.2 Protect and preserve the data
Primary rules
- keep
the raw data, composed of notes, logs,
checklists, questionnaires, interview reports, etc.
intact
and secure
- make
sure the secure place is recorded and
known to more than one staff member, with safeguards
are in place to monitor access to the original
data
- produce an identification
number for each original data collection
form to make it easier to identify
data, while preserving the informant ’s anonymity
- work from copies of the original documents
- when scanning or entering data to a computer,
keep the original copy intact so that it will
never be changed or overwritten
- identify each working file to keep track of progress,
corrections etc. and make backups
Types of
identification
- range from a simple sequential list of numbers
(for computer entry add zeros to allow sufficient
digits to accommodate the largest number)
- to serial numbers identifying the particular form
(focus group, pre-test, post-test questionnaire
etc.)
- numbers rather
than combinations of letters and
numbers are preferable for computer analysis
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