Data/Data Collection

Seiss, M., Vance, E. A., & Hall, R. P. (2014). The Importance of Cleaning Data During Fieldwork: Evidence from Mozambique. Survey Practice, 7(4), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.29115/SP-2014-0017

Keywords: Sanitation, monitoring and evaluation, impact evaluation, computer assisted personal, interviewing, water, household survey, on-the-ground statistician, data editing, Africa.

Abstract: In many small-scale surveys with limited resources, data editing is usually conducted by a statistician after data collection has concluded. Including the statistician and the data editing process in the data collection phase of the survey has many benefits. This paper describes a procedure for survey implementation of small-scale surveys in which the statistician identifies and edits the data as it is collected. We implemented this procedure during a household survey conducted in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and detailed data on the editing process was recorded. This article analyzes this data to gain insight into the effects on the collected data. The results of the analysis indicate that the edited data may be of higher quality than data without edits. We also identify areas of improvement in the procedure for future household surveys.

Hall, R. P., Agnew, J., Petrie, L., Liu, W., & North, C. (2024). 2021 VT Food Access and Wellbeing Survey. Center for Open Science. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BNUQV.

The following items have been uploaded to the Center for Open Science (OSF) from the 2021 VT Food Access and Wellbeing Survey:

• 2021 VT Food Access and Welling Survey
• IRB Research Protocol 21-122
• IRB Approval Letter 21-122
• De-identified Data Set
• R code

Majawa, F., & Hall, R. P. (2021). Establishment of data centre at Mzuzu University: A survey of anticipations and aspirations of key project stakeholders. IASSIST Quarterly, 45(3–4). https://doi.org/10.29173/iq999

Keywords: Data centre, data literacy, data management, Mzuzu University, Malawi.

Abstract: Mzuzu University lost its Library as a result of a fire that took place on December 18, 2015. In response, the university established two processes to ensure the library services were not interrupted. The first process was to restore information services within six months by creating an interim Library. The second was to design a new library in collaboration with Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Design in the United States. A total of three conceptual designs were developed, from which Mzuzu University selected a final design. One key aspect of each conceptual design was a dedicated space for a data centre. The initial concept was that the data centre would support research activities at the University, within Malawi, and with international partners outside Malawi, such as Virginia Tech. This paper captures the anticipations and aspirations of the key stakeholders involved with the library design project at Mzuzu University in Malawi and Virginia Tech in the USA. Data were captured by a survey that was shared via email with 29 stakeholders. A total of 10 responded at Mzuzu University, and 12 responded at Virginia Tech. A key finding from the survey was the need to create clear plans for each aspect of the project to ensure the effective implementation of the data centre. Critical aspects to the project include staffing, equipment procurement, the management of the data centre, data literacy programming, and the long-term sustainability of the data centre. Developing a policy/process to guide the operations of the data centre was also found to be critical. The library construction began in February 2021 and is expected to end in February 2023. Having a clear plan for how the data centre could be operationalized will be essential to ensuring the centre is successful. The data centre will be a new facility for the university and this paper is a first step towards shaping the requirements of, and potential for, this new facility.