DATA ANALYSIS
Variable(data) : the characteristics associated with each item or case in a population or the a characteristics of person, object or phenomenon that can take a different value . They are called variables because they vary , or can be different for different people. Variables should be measureable, if not adapt indicators or levels or scores like level of knowledge.For the purposes of data description, and statistical analysis, data are looked at as variables. Data are classified as: Numerical variables : if they are expressed in numbers discrete. Continuous: variables are those which are measured on a continuous scale. They are numbers that can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided.
2. Categorical: variables are ones where each individual is one of a number of equally exclusive classes. Like the outcome of the disease, chronic manifestation ..etc. nominal: categories cannot be ordered one above another. An example of categorical nominal variable is sex (male or female) or marital status (married, not married, divorced) ordinal data, the variables can be ordered one above another. An example of ordinal categorical data is the grading of pain (mild, moderate, severe), or the staging of tumours (first stage, second stage, third stage, fourth stage).
Variables
QuantitativeQualitative
Discrete e.g.. No. of visit
Continuous e.g. age , wt.
Ordinal e.g. pat. Satisf.
Dichotomous e.g. only two categories
Nominal e.g. causes of death
Sources of Data
Census data Vital statistical records Employment health examinations Clinical records from hospitals or private practices. National figures on food consumption records Medications records.
G. Subjects themselves-interviews or questionnaire. H. Medical examinations. I. Tests of the participants J. tests of animals
primary sources" document or record containing first-hand information or original data on a topic..."
Primary sources can include Interviews, letters, journals, speeches, autobiographies, and witness statements Articles containing original research, data, or findings never before shared Original hand-written manuscripts Government documents and public records photographs, films, maps Newspaper and magazine clippings
secondary sources "Any published or unpublished work that is one step removed from the original source, usually describing, summarizing, analyzing, evaluating, derived from, or based on primary source materials..." Secondary sources are works that are one step removed from the original event or experience provide criticism or interpretation of a primary source Secondary sources can include Textbooks Review articles and critical analysis essays Biographies Historical films Articles about people and events from the past