UNSD-UNESCAP Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing: Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing, documentation and archiving

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Manual Data Capture Key Entry
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Key Entry data capture
To
Forms
To
Data Capture
Data File
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Key Entry Main characteristics

• 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
• 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.

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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
• 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.

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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.

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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.

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Key Entry Software

• Basic key entry programmes
• Used in-house or outsourced
• Software packages
• CsPro
• ...
• User specific applications
• Developed in-house or outsourced

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• Thank You