Manual Data Capture – Key Entry
UNSD Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing for the English speaking African Countries:
Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 9-13 June 2008
Key Entry data capture
To
Data Capture
To
Data
File
Key Entry – Main characteristics
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Computer-assisted keyboard data entry usually uses personal
computer data entry programs with built-in logical controls.
Some of the tasks accomplished by the programs are:
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Verifying that EA codes are valid and copying them automatically
from one record to the next;
Assigning a number to each person in a household automatically
and to each household within an EA;
Switching record types automatically if required;
Checking that variable values are always within pre-determined
ranges;
Skipping fields if the logic indicates doing so;
Supporting keyboard verification of the information entered earlier;
Generating summary statistics for the operator and the batch.
Key Entry – Main characteristics
 Coding complex classifications (occupation, industry,
education) can be included in a computer-assisted
keyboard data entry application,
 Or a clerical process prior to keying to assign the
classification class to be key entered.
 In order not to delay the data capture task, data entry
applications should limit checking to problems that
are:
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Either very serious (for example, wrong EA code),
Or likely to be caused by a simple misread or key entry
mistake.
More sophisticated checking is deferred until the editing
stage.
Key Entry – Main characteristics
 This method requires relatively simple software
systems (if complex coding not included)
 Requires many more staff than automated data
capture method
 More elapsed time to complete.
UNSD Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing for the English speaking African Countries:
Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 9-13 June 2008
Key Entry – Elements for decision
 Decision to use manual entry versus automated
entry may take into account:
 Timetable requirements
 Relativities between staff and hardware costs.
 Possibility to implement more sophisticated technology
 Where staff costs are low and computing
infrastructure is moderate, keyed entry may be
the optimal method.
UNSD Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing for the English speaking African Countries:
Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 9-13 June 2008
Key Entry – Software
 Basic key entry programmes:
 Used in-house or outsourced
 Software packages:
 CsPro
 ...
 User specific applications:
 Developed in-house or outsourced
UNSD Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing for the English speaking African Countries:
Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 9-13 June 2008
Thank You
UNSD Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing for the English speaking African Countries:
Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 9-13 June 2008