Data input

Once filled in by the respondents, the data from the questionnaires are typed in to a pre-formatted Excel file, using a standard file format with fixed variable names. The internet version sends data pre-formatted as e-mails to Building Use Studies.

We have considered scanning in the data, but have found that the volume of data does not merit batch processing. You can spend more time correcting the input for scanning as it takes to type in anyway.

Typing data in by hand also introduces a quality control phase, so that, for example, spelling can be corrected and acronyms expanded.

The survey building data files in Excel are then error and range checked using the AutoFilter feature.

We use Excel because it is cross-platform and widely available making it relatively easy for anyone in most of its versions. It is normal for our licensees to type their data using Excel. However, if you wish us to prepare the data for you then this can be carried out for a small extra fee.

Excel files are readable by FileMaker Pro and Aabel (a statistical graphics package used for publication quality output), as well as being programmable by AppleScript.

Our in-house analysis and data entry work is carried out using Apple OS X, but with software which is cross-platform so that the approach can be replicated on other platforms if necessary.

We have found that minor problems can arise when moving files from one platform to another. But they are relatively trivial compared with the advantages of transparency across platforms.