Module 1: Managing Databases

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Questions and Answers

How are Likert scale questions classified in social science despite being qualitative?

As categorical variables

As ordinal variables

As numeric discrete variables (correct)

As continuous variables

What is one advantage of using numeric variables over categorical variables in data analysis?

They are easier to understand.

They are more commonly used.

They allow for more statistical analyses. (correct)

They require less data collection.

Which of the following statements is true regarding the transformation of numerical variables?

Categorical variables can always be reverted to numerical.

Only numerical variables below a certain threshold can be transformed.

Numerical variables cannot be transformed.

Numerical variables can be transformed into categorical variables by creating subgroups. (correct)

In the example provided, how is the numerical variable of average days in residence categorized?

By creating meaningful subgroups of days Signup and view all the answers

What is the numeric range of the variable representing average days in residence?

$0$ to \infty$ Signup and view all the answers

What does the small symbol preceding the list of variables in Sphinx Campus identify?

The nature of the variable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symbol categories relates to a unique response in data management?

Categorical/qualitative, unique response Signup and view all the answers

What type of variable is represented by a postal code in the question library?

Qualitative variable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent a type of variable in Sphinx Campus?

Ordinal, single response Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration should be upheld when analyzing data?

Be ethical towards the research community Signup and view all the answers

What type of question provides predetermined response options?

Closed-ended question Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following question types allows for only one response between two options?

Dichotomous question Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason to avoid open-ended questions in large surveys?

They require complex data analysis. Signup and view all the answers

Which question type is often found in questionnaires to gauge frequency of behaviors?

Likert scale question Signup and view all the answers

If a survey includes multiple open-ended questions, what should be considered?

The suitability of the survey method for research aims Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of multiple-choice questions?

They have more than two response options. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used for the different responses obtained for each variable in a survey?

Outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which survey method requires each question to correspond to one variable in the database?

Survey methodology Signup and view all the answers

What method does Sphinx Campus use to treat missing data?

Case wise deletion Signup and view all the answers

What functions are included in the Data module of Sphinx Campus?

Checking the quality of the sample Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of the spreadsheet in the Data module?

It shows the responses of all questions for all respondents. Signup and view all the answers

When accessing the Data module, how many observations are noted as present in the example?

200 observations Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes the default state of the spreadsheet in Sphinx Campus?

It is locked to prevent accidental changes. Signup and view all the answers

What step must be taken to delete observations from the Data module?

Select observations and click on the 'Delete' button. Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to vary between the presentation slides about Sphinx and a user's screen?

The layout and terminology used Signup and view all the answers

What action is required to view the entire screen while using the Data module?

Click on the small diagonal arrow on the right. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a discrete numeric variable?

The number of cars in a household Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes a continuous numeric variable from a discrete numeric variable?

It can take on any value, including decimals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a continuous numeric variable?

Number of children in a family Signup and view all the answers

To determine if a numeric variable is discrete, you should check if it can be expressed as which of the following?

A whole number only Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the nature of Likert scale questions?

They can represent both numeric and categorical data Signup and view all the answers

If a numeric variable represents the count of televisions in a household, what type of variable is it?

Discrete numeric variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental reason why one would classify a variable as continuous?

It takes on any value between two extremes, including decimals Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates the concept of a continuous numeric variable?

The weight of a bag of flour in kilograms Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the initial steps to be taken after completing data collection?

Performing questionnaire checks for completeness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is recommended when dealing with incomplete responses?

Return to the field to amend incomplete answers if the sample size is small Signup and view all the answers

In missing data treatment, what does case-wise deletion refer to?

Eliminating all cases that have at least one missing value for analysis Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to report unsatisfactory results during data analysis?

Acknowledging and explaining the reasons for the unsatisfactory results Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method to handle missing values during analysis?

Substituting missing values with a neutral value such as the median Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of data preparation involves checking the accuracy of collected responses?

Questionnaire checking Signup and view all the answers

Why is analytical rigor emphasized during data analysis?

To validate that the analysis process is thorough and trustworthy Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of not adequately handling missing data?

It may lead to biased or incomplete findings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Module 1: Managing the Data Base

The module focuses on managing databases in the context of data and content analysis.
The agenda includes the rationale for the course, steps in data analysis, variable types, data preparation, and the Sphinx Campus environment, with group work planned.
A market research process is a series of steps including defining the problem, designing the research, collecting data, preparing and analyzing data, and reporting the findings.
Steps in data analysis include checking and preparing the database, performing univariate data analyses, performing bivariate or multivariate analyses, and writing the report which includes recommendations (not the objective of the course).
Surveys are quantitative research methods that use questionnaires.
Open-ended questions let respondents answer in their own words.
Closed-ended questions provide predetermined response options.
Dichotomous questions offer two choices (yes/no).
Multiple-choice questions allow for selection from multiple options.
Likert scales are closed-ended questions frequently used in questionnaires.
The objective of a survey is to collect responses on all questions from each respondent, with each question corresponding to a variable in the database.
Different responses for each variable are called outcomes.
A completed questionnaire for each respondent comprises an observation. The entire collection of observations constitutes the database.
The database is a matrix; rows represent observations, and columns represent variables. The number of cells in the matrix is determined by multiplying the number of variables (k) by the number of observations (j).
A variable is a characteristic of an event or individual; in a questionnaire, a variable is one question, and each individual in the sample has a value for each variable. Different values for a single variable are called outcomes.
Categorical variables are qualitative and don't involve numbers, whereas numerical variables do.
Nominal variables categorize responses without a specific order (like gender or brand).
Ordinal variables categorize responses with a specific order (e.g., age groups). Numerical variables are either discrete (integers, such as the number of children) or continuous (decimals, like height).
Likert scale questions, despite being qualitative, are generally treated as numeric variables in social science research.
Numerical variables can be transformed into categorical variables by creating subgroups of values.
The Sphinx Campus tool lists variables, preceded by symbols indicating the variable's nature.
The "Data" module in Sphinx includes general functions, filtering, analysis, and non-response treatment.
Data preparation steps include checking questionnaires for completeness and accuracy, coding and transcribing data, cleaning data, and defining a data analysis strategy.
Various methods exist for treating missing data (substitute a neutral value, case-wise deletion or pairwise deletion).
When choosing a filter in Sphinx, you define a sub-sample to perform specific analyses on, like a profile of women.
The "Sample Quality" tab in Sphinx checks questionnaire and data quality.
The number of database variables might be higher than the actual number of questions due to Sphinx's automatic data recording of additional factors. Data quality is assessed on variables and observations.
The purpose of questionnaire checking is identifying any missing or invalid data to ensure the analysis results are accurate or complete.
The "Delete" button is used to delete observations if changes are made to the questions and other issues arise.
Clicking on the "+Add" button allows you to add more observations (respondents) to the existing database.
For instance, to collect data from face-to-face interviews.

Other Functions

Deleting all records is optional in Sphinx if necessary to clear the sample or if the questionnaire changes.
Sphinx allows exporting data to other formats (like Excel, CSV), useful for further analysis with tools other than Sphinx.
Filtering data allows analysis of a targeted sub-sample, such as women's responses.
The "Sample Quality" section shows insights into the quality of data and how to handle missing data or non-response treatment.

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Description

This module covers the essentials of managing databases for data and content analysis. It discusses variable types, data preparation, and the Sphinx Campus environment while highlighting the market research process and data analysis steps. Participants will engage in group work to deepen their understanding of survey methodologies and question types.