If we set up your questionnaire (creating the questions definitions file .QDF for you) the content is always independently checked.  The "checker" pays particular attention to question text, numbering, spelling and routing.
	Once the questionnaire file has been checked, the data entry screens themselves are examined to ensure that all entries and filters (skips) are correct and any on-screen instructions are easy to follow.

PAPER QUESTIONNAIRES (PREPARATION)

 

	Before data is entered from paper questionnaires, they are checked, sorted and a unique serial number is allocated to each.
	Any printed questionnaire routing is also checked at this stage.

CODING

 

	If required, the open ended questions (verbatim texts) included on your questionnaires are coded.  We are happy to work with supplied code lists, those from previous waves, or to generate new lists, as required.  Whenever appropriate, new code lists are created using the 5 bar gate (positive/neutral/negative) method.
	Code lists are always available for client approval.
	Whenever time scales allow, the QPSMR questionnaire file is then updated before data entry, so that the coded response texts will be displayed at the screen when responses are selected.
	10% of the coding undertaken is quality checked, as standard.

DATA ENTRY AND VERIFICATION

 

	Data from your questionnaires is then entered using the QPSMR Input program, following filters (skips) and using "hold" screens.  Only valid responses are available for selection, ensuring your data is as "clean" as possible.
	We randomly "spot check" paper questionnaires against the data entered and 10% of all of the work returned from each member of our data entry team is independently verified.

CHECKING YOUR INFORMATION

 

	When data has been entered a topline report is produced.  This shows summary counts of all of your questionnaire information, including the answers which have been allocated to reject categories.  This report is then thoroughly interrogated to ensure all entries based on the total sample add to the correct number of respondents, and all filtered entries add to the appropriate filtered sample.
	Any unused coded responses are located (by referring back to the paper questionnaires and code lists) and the information is updated accordingly.  Also, if data has been entered for an open ended response, which has not had text allocated to it, this is fully investigated and modified as required.
	All blank responses are checked against the completed paper questionnaires to ensure that the respondent did in fact leave the question empty.  If the question was blank because of a punching error, the response is updated and the entire questionnaire is verified.
	Frequency counts are produced for all integer and weight numeric entries.  This ensures that the responses entered are appropriate for the question being asked.  For example, if a time is collected as a 24 hour clock, we would check that all answers are acceptable - a time of 25.13 would obviously be incorrect!  Any unacceptable answers would be located and corrected, and once again the entire questionnaire would be verified.
	If appropriate, cross tables are also generated to further check the information collected.  For example, we might run  "Day by Date", or "Promotion by Store" tables to ensure that the data has been collected and captured correctly.
	If automatic range checks were not set for all numeric entries when the questionnaire was defined, these entries are validated to your specification (for example, an "amount spent" question, for which only values between £5 and £12 are acceptable responses).

ANALYSIS

 

	When producing tables, the results for all column and row entries are checked to ensure that they add to the correct filtered or unfiltered total.
	Printed score values (often applied to rating scale responses in order to generate mean scores and other statistics) are always checked to ensure the value is appropriate, and correct, for each response.
	The definitions for complex variables (combinations of many existing entries) are always independently checked to ensure that they include all of the required respondents.
	If table arithmetic is used, or "banked" tables are created, these are always thoroughly checked to ensure calculations are accurate and that appropriate columns are accumulated (overlaid).
	The tables file itself is always checked to ensure that all requested tables are present.

EXPORTED DATA AND TABLES

 

If you require QPSMR data or tables in a format suitable for use with another program, whenever possible the exported information is loaded into the appropriate program to ensure that the transfer process, for you or your client, is swift and trouble free.

If you would like us to help with any part of your data processing, simply request a quotation. 

tel: +44 (0) 1491 825644, email: info@qpsmr.ltd.uk.