WHAT COMES NEXT?

When you have the completed forms from your study, you need to enter the data into a computer so that the computer programs can carry out your instructions for data analysis. Each item of data entry is a "case" or "run" of the experiment. When you have entered all the data, make sure that all the data (1) is in and (2) is saved appropriately for future analysis. The mechanics of entering data into a disk file on your personal computer are pretty simple. If you are planning to analyze the data, however, you do not want to make mistakes at this point. You cannot get good analyses with bad data.

It is easy to make mistakes when you type in your data. Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to find and fix these mistakes:

• Line up the data for each case so that the same types of information always appear at the same positions on the line. If you have room, leave a blank space between the pieces of information or between groups of them so that they are easier to read. In other words, use fixed format.

• Start each case on a new line. If you have too much data for a case to fit on a single line, go ahead and use more than one line per case, but never put more than one case on a line. (You cannot, if you use fixed format.)

• Put the case identification number at the beginning of each line of the file. If you are using more than one line per case, repeat it on each line. Also number each line within the case.

• Save your data file frequently as you enter the data. That way, you will have a permanent copy of most of your data even if something goes wrong while you are working.

• Make a backup copy (an extra copy) of the data to use if your original data file is somehow lost or destroyed . Since disks can be damaged, put the backup copy on a different physical disk. If you are using a floppy-based personal computer, put the original and the backup on different floppies. If your computer has a hard disk, you can leave the original on the hard disk and put the backup on a floppy. Be sure to label the backup floppy diskettes clearly and put them in a safe place.