HOW TO MINIMIZE CODING ERRORS

v     Include codes next to responses to fixed- choice questions

v     Use automated coding programs

v     Develop written coding scheme and continually update these with guidelines and decisions that are made while coding

v     Use several codes and introduce consistency check

v     Where electronic data collection methods are used (eg Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing- CATI, Web Based Survey, Email Surveys), they can be programmed to disallow responses outside a specified range of codes and to disallow the wrong code of response code.

v     Electronic data collection methods automatically code responses and build a data base, thus eliminates the need to code at all.

HOW DETAILED SHOULD THE CODING BE.

There is no simple answer to this question. The fineness of the coding scheme will depend on the followings;

v     Size of the sample

v     Importance of making particular distinctions

v     Way in which the data will be analyzed

v     Likely distribution of the cases within the sample.