Errors in processing data prior to analysis can cause significant distortion of research findings. General principles and specific techniques for cleaning data sets are presented. Strategies are suggested for preventing errors in transcribing, coding, and keying research data.
AbrahamsonM. (1983). Social research methods. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
2.
BaileyD. M. (1991). Research for the health professional: A practical guide. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
3.
BarhyteD. Y., & BaconL. D. (1985). Approaches to cleaning data sets: A technical comment. Nursing Research, 34, 62–64.
4.
CoxR. C., & WestW. L. (1982). Fundamentals of research for health professionals. Laurel, MD: Ramsco.
5.
FindleyT. W., & StinemanM. G. (1991). Research in physical medicine and rehabilitation: Data entry and early exploratory data analysis. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 70(Suppl. 1), 537–548.
6.
GaltungJ. (1967). Theory and methods of social research. New York: Columbia University Press.
7.
HampelF. R.RonchettiE. M.RousseeuwP. J., & StahelW. A. (1986). Robust statistics: The approach based on influence functions. New York: Wiley.
8.
JantzenA. C. (1981). Research: The practical approach for occupational therapy. Laurel, MD: Ramsco.
9.
LindJ. C., & ZumboB. D. (1991). The continuity principle in psychological research: An introduction to robust statistics. Paper presented at the meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
10.
MathiowetzV.KashmanN.VollandG.WeberK.DoweM., & RogersS. (1985). Grip and pinch strength: Normative data for adults. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 66, 69–74.
11.
PaytonO. D. (1979). Research: The validation of clinical practice. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
12.
RosenthalR. (1978). How often are our numbers wrong?American Psychologist, 3, 1005–1008.
13.
VeselkaR., & LundgrenC. (1991). [Establishment of volume norms and deviations for dominant and non-dominant hands]. Unpublished raw data.
