Data Processing Lecture 4 Flashcards
What are the criteria for data elements that should be collected?
Data elements should:
* Provide useful information affecting management decisions
* Cannot be obtained elsewhere
* Be easy to collect
* Not require much work or time
* Be collected relatively accurately
These criteria ensure that the data collected is relevant and efficient for decision-making processes.
What is an essential dataset?
collection of key data elements necessary for monitoring and evaluating the health system’s performance.
List the rationale for use of essential datasets
-ensuring data relevance and focus
-policy alignment
-resource optimization
-supporting evidence based decision making
-promoting standardization
-enabling early detection of health issues
-facilitating reporting and accountability
-enhancing efficiency in data management
Define flexibilty in data collection
refers to the ability to adapt data collection processes to specific contexts, needs, or emerging challenges
Define standardization in data collection
involves creating uniform procedures, tools, and formats for data collection to ensure consistency and comparability
Define Data Collection
It is a subset of data gathering.
It is a systematic and structured process of obtaining data for specific objectives using defined methods, tools, and protocols.
What does data collection usually involve?
often involves predefined procedures and instruments to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Define data gathering
refers to the broader, less structured process of acquiring data from various sources, which may or may not follow a formalized methodology.
Give examples of data collection
-Conducting a census using standardized forms.
-Collecting patient data in a hospital through electronic health records.
-Monitoring air quality using scientific equipment
Give examples of data gathering
-Browsing websites to gather information for a project.
-Collecting general feedback from social media comments.
Define Data Elements
The smallest units of data collected, often raw figures or observations.
Give an example of a data element
Number of women attending antenatal care
Define indicators
calculated values derived from data elements to measure progress or performance against set objectives
Give an example of an indicator
Percentage of pregnant women attending antenatal care
What is the relationship betwee data elements and indicators?
Indicators are derived from data elements.
Data elements feed indicators with raw information. Without accurate data elements, indicators cannot reflect the true picture of what is happening.
Indicators contextualize data elements. Data elements on their own are just numbers, but indicators use them to provide actionable information (e.g., rates, proportions, trends).
Give an example of the relationship between a data element and an indicator
-Data Element: Number of children immunized.
Data Element: Target population of children under 5.
Indicator: Immunization coverage = (Number of children immunized ÷ Target population) × 100.
List the ways of handling data
-data collection (plan and define, choose methods and tools)
-data organization (enter data into a organized format like spreadsheets which make it easier to store and analyze)
-data storage (use structured systems for large databases)
-data cleaning (remove outliers)
Define SOURCE criteria
a framework used to assess the reliability, validity, and overall quality of data collection tools
What is the importance of simple in the SOURCE criteria?
Ensures that data collection tools are straightforward and easy to use, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Give an example of simple in the SOURCE criteria?
A form with clear, concise questions is more effective than one overloaded with technical jargon or complex structures.
What is the importance of Overlap in the SOURCE criteria?
Ensures that there is no redundancy or duplication in the data being collected. Overlapping questions or variables can waste resources and confuse respondents.
Give an example of Overlap in the SOURCE criteria.
A health survey should avoid asking for the same demographic information (e.g., age or gender) multiple times.
What is the importance of Useful in the SOURCE criteria?
The tool should collect data that is directly relevant and actionable for its intended purpose.
Give an example of “Useful” in the SOURCE criteria.
In a health survey, collecting data on the prevalence of a disease is more useful than unrelated demographic details.
What is the importance of Relevant in the SOURCE criteria?
The questions or variables in the tool should be related to the study objectives
Give an example of Relevant in the SOURCE criteria.
If assessing education levels, ensure the data tool includes education-related questions and excludes unrelated details.
What is the importance of Clear in the SOURCE criteria?
Instructions, questions, and response options should be easy to understand.
Give an example of Clear in the SOURCE criteria.
Instead of options like “sometimes,” use specific frequency ranges like “1–2 times a week
What is the importance of Efficient in the SOURCE criteria?
The tool should minimize the time, effort, and resources required for data collection without compromising quality.
Give an example of efficient in the SOURCE criteria.
An online survey may be more efficient than in-person interviews for certain populations.
What is the difference between the output and the outcome?
The outcome is a result of the output.
An output refers to the immediate results of an action.
What is the importance of archiving data?
•stops you from losing data
•ensures only the right people can access the right documents
•keeps documents organized and easy to access
•saves valuable storage space in the office and in the server
•helps institution meet legal requirements for auditing
List the ways in which electronic documents can be compromised.
•security threats
•software or hardware failure
•power failure
•computer malfunctions
List the common collation problems
•incorrect grouping of data
•missing data forms
•double counting of data
List the ways of collating data
1.Summarizing data from the same data elements but from different sources.
2.Summarizing data from the same source but over a period of time
Define data collation
Collection or construction of ordered systems of data from the raw data gathered.
List the criteria for appropriateness for data collection tools
•tool
•purpose (decision-making for management)
•layout (simple,clear,easy to understand)
•Relevance (useful for output,outcome,process)
•Overlap (no overlap with other forms)
List the example of data collection at public health care facilities
•Special programme activities
•Routine service activities
•Epidemiological surveillance
•Administrative systems
•population
Give examples of population data
Census,age,sex,births and deaths registration.
Give examples of administrative systems.
Infrastructure, equipment,human resources,drugs, transport,finances
Give examples of epidemiological surveillance
Notifiable diseases, environmental health
Give examples of routine service activities
Minor ailments,non-priority activities
Give examples of special programme activities
Mental and reproductive health,child health and nutrition,chronic diseases
Give examples of non routine data collection
•surveys
•population census
•quantitative or qualitative rapid assessment methods
Give examples of routine data collection
Routine health unit and community data.
Civil registration
Where do we get data from?
•routine data collection and non-routine data collection
