#Sample codebook for free
#Sample codebook download

The computer reads the letter l and the number 1, as well as the letter O and the number 0 differently. Also, be sure that you don't use a lowercase letter l to enter a numeric 1, or an uppercase letter O or lowercase o for a zero 0. But, what happens if you have a student whose primary language is Swahili or Swedish? Also, be sure that you decide on lowercase or uppercase as E is not analyzed the same as e. For example, you may want to use S to designate Spanish, E for English, and so on. When you decide on a variable (like language background), be consistent in how you enter it, or you will have a nightmare in analyzing the data.For example, you could have a column for a reading test in 2005 that has numerical or alphabetic codes for such information as 'absent,' 'exempted,' 'couldn't attempt,' etc. If it is important to know that a student was absent, exempted, etc., create a variable with corresponding codes. Do not enter explanatory notes such as 'absent,' 'exempted,' etc. If a certain piece of information is missing on a student, leave it blank.Zero does not appear as a valid score in most standardized tests. Enter a zero if and only if it is a real value. If the person doing the analysis doesn't know to exclude values of zero, those zeros will be entered into calculations, and will significantly distort the results. It is possible to specify that zero means 'missing information,' but it is not necessary. Do not use zero (0) as a placeholder to indicate missing information.If those kinds of scores are of interest, put them in a separate column. It would contain only NCE scores and not percentiles, grade equivalents or other kinds of scores. For example, a column might have NCE scores for a reading achievement test in 2005 but not 2004 or any other year. Pay careful attention to the principle of exactly one and only one kind of information.For example, it might be a last name, a first name, a date of entry, an English proficiency score for a specific year, etc. Each variable, or column, should contain exactly one and only one kind of information.Note that each line contains information on just one student, and the student's information appears in only one line. The example spreadsheet we will discuss at the end of this section shows what a good relational database looks like as a spreadsheet. A record can contain an unlimited number of variables, or types of information. Make sure there is only one record (line of data) per student to avoid duplicate information.However, to develop the spreadsheet so that the data are easy to analyze, it must be set up according to specific guidelines. Spreadsheets are commonly used, and many people already have some spreadsheet skills. Check these sites for tutorials and use of Excel in the classroom:

#Sample codebook for free

It can be purchased at most computer stores, downloaded online, or possibly obtained for free from the district office. However, they are more expensive and take some time to learn.ДЄ word about Excel: Excel is part of Microsoft Office. For those interested in actual databases, there are a number of good database programs (e.g., FileMaker, FoxPro, dBase). There are differences, but we will not get into them here as we are trying to keep this as simple as possible. We are using the terms database and spreadsheet interchangeably here. The easiest way to maintain data is in a spreadsheet format such as Excel. Data must be maintained in such a way that it can easily be summarized and analyzed.

#Sample codebook download

You can download and use these as a start to your database if you would like.Дos and Don'ts of Data Entry and ManagementДЄ good database is not just an electronic file folder. However, once it is constructed and after you have worked with it, it becomes second nature, and it isn't really all that hard to maintain-if you follow a few data entry and data maintenance tips.ДЄ sample spreadsheet and codebook will be available in this section. Therefore, that database must be constructed with great care. The file becomes a representation of the key elements of the program that you want to evaluate: who the students are, their grade levels, their length of participation, their success in language learning, their academic achievement. Setting up the file is an exercise in logic, but it is not difficult.

SUGGESTIONS & EXAMPLES: Sample Spreadsheet & CodebookДЄ well-structured database is the key to meaningful program evaluation.

Preparing for Longitudinal Data Analysis.

Dos and Don'ts of Data Entry and Management.