Exercise

1. From what you already know about the statistical process, place the following steps in the correct order:
   • processing
   • collection
   • information
   • data
     
     Answer 1
2. List all of the steps involved in data processing and write a brief description of each. Answer 2
3. Find out what kinds of data input devices are present at your school. Do these devices require special skills to operate? Discuss as a class.
4. If data editing did not take place, what effect might this have on information produced? Answer 4
5. The following are some examples of incorrect survey responses. Find the errors in each example and explain them.
   1.  
      

      Question 5a

      Question	Response
      (i) How many rooms are there in this dwelling? Include kitchen, bedrooms, finished rooms in attic or basement, etc. Do not count bathrooms, halls, vestibules and rooms used solely for business purposes.	11
      (ii) How many of these rooms are bedrooms?	Yes

      Answer 5a
   2.  

      Question 5b

      Question	Response
      What is your present marital status? Mark one circle only.	( ) Legally married (and not separated) ( ) Separated, but still legally married (x) Divorced ( ) Widowed (x) Never married (single)

      Answer 5b
   3.  

      Question 5c

      Question	Response
      How did you get to work on Census Day 2001? If you used more than one method of transportation, mark all relevant circles.	( ) Car, truck or van—as a driver ( ) Car, truck or van—as a passenger ( ) Public transit (e.g., bus, street car, subway, light rail transit, commuter train, ferry) ( ) Walked to work ( ) Bicycle (x) Motorcycle ( ) Taxicab ( ) Other method (x) Worked from home (x) Did not go to work

      Answer 5c
6. Answer the following questions:
   • Does your school use coding procedures to produce data?
   • Are the coding procedures performed by a person or by a machine?
   • If the coding procedures are manual, would it be better to automate them? Why?