Pros and cons of Using CSpro in Designing a Data Entry
Applications For the Statistical Survey at CAPMAS
Abstract Submitted to Participate New Techniques and Technologies for Statistics
(NTTS) 2015 (Conference in Brussels, 10-12 March 2015)
ABSTRACT
Design statistical survey using any software have many problems such as constraint
on size of data ,writing difficult code, heavy data entry application, besides that after
finishing data entry phase we need to analyze , disseminate data . To solve these problems
we need software like Census and Survey Processing System (CSpro) that can be used it
in designing data entry application, analysis and disseminate statistical data in a friendly
way.This paper describes how to design statistical survey using CSpro, Who needs
CSPro? What is it used for? What are CSPro’s capabilities? . In addition an Example for
how to design statistical survey using CSPro is given The Experience of the national
statistical office at Egypt (CAPMAS) in this field, and the lessons learnt from using this
software are discussed.
Keywords: Rosters, Disseminate, Batch, data dictionary, validation.
1. INTRODUCTION
CSPro is a free software package used by hundreds of organizations and tens of
thousands of individuals for entering, editing, tabulating, and disseminating census and
survey data.
On the other hand CSPro is designed to be as user-friendly and easy to use as possible,
yet powerful enough to handle the most complex applications. It can be used by a wide
range of people, from non-technical staff assistants to senior demographers and
programmers.
1.1. Defination of CSPRO
The Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) is software package for entering,
editing,tabulating, and disseminating data from censuses and survey. CSPro combines the
features of the Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS)and the Integrated
System for Survey Analysis (ISSA).
1.2. CSPro capabilities
The software is capable of doing the following;
 Process census and survey data.
 Enter, modify and verify data .
1







Manipulate data files .
Tabulate data .
Create thematic maps .
Use and share external files .
Examine data files .
Interactive editing .
Examine results of editing.
1,3. Cspro’s Components:
 Data entry application is where data entry occurs. Each survey is saved as a
separate "case", and can search for specific surveys or answers within a survey in
addition to performing basic data entry. You can also modify previously entered
cases.
 The data dictionary is used to compare the contents of two data files to identify the
differences, concatenate two or more data files, tabulate frequencies to check for
outliers, and export data to files can be imported into spreadsheets or databases.
 The tabulation application contains a set of table specifications and a data
dictionary describing a data file to be tabulated .
 Batch Edited application is used to :
a.
count cases in a data file
b.
perform consistency checks
c.
Export dictionary and data to other packages
The full paper will contain an example for how to design data entry application using
CSPro for (College Students’ Internet Usage Survey).
2.
RESULTS
Table 1. Pros and cons of CSPro
Pros
cons
The advantage of CSPro
The disadvantage of CSPro
 CSPro is free and will be forever
 Large file sizes, though smaller when
 Census Bureau provides free support
for
CSPro
via
email:
compressed
 Extra files (e.g., an index) must be
cspro@lists.census.gov.
 There are CSPro consultants available
stored as separate files
 Modifying an entry can force the
for hire, though not many.
 Many applications have been created,
whole file to be rewritten
 Fixed
though few available on the Internet
width
changing
2
a
fields
mean
dictionary
that
means
 Very few Internet websites devoted to
reformatting existing files
 Inability to store variable-length text
CSPro.
 Data entry can be done, one question
at a time, on Windows Mobile PDAs
 Processing is slower.
Not compliant with common database
(versions 5 and 6, not Windows Phone.
 Can handle census-sized applications
programs such as, SQL
Only one user can write to a file at any
 Can export data to major statistical
given time
software formats, and often is used in
combination with other programs
 Most major bugs have been fixed,
though some known bugs (generally
minor) remain.
3.
CONCLUSIONS
3.1. CSPro is a software package used to process data from censuses and
surveys, both large and small.
3.2. Used for entry, editing, tabulation and dissemination of census and
survey data.
3.3. From the experience of CAPMAS in using CSPro in designing data entry
applications can said CSPro very easy and effective and Rosters could be
easily included, the Modification of the entry programs are faster and
easier, besides Incorporating Data Validations and convert data set to
spss – stata etc easily.
REFERENCES
[1] CSPro user's guide version 5.0.3, international programs center for technical
assistance, population Division, U.S.Census Bureau,* August 2013.
[2] Prabhu Ponnusamy,B.sc, M.A:"Using CSPro (Census and Survey Processing
System) Experience from Large Scale Survey in India", international
Journal of scientific and reaserch publications, volume 2,Issue 7, July 2012.
3