From a simple question
to a table you can understand.
Learn to organize project data before analysis. Three steps, a practical activity, flashcards and a quiz help you review the idea. This module demonstrates the ATHAR Academy approach; it is not an accredited course.
Before the columns, ask about the row.
In this example, we want to describe weekly study hours for six fictional learners. Each row represents one learner in a specified week, and each column one attribute. With multiple weeks, the row unit becomes “one learner in one week,” and a week column is needed.
This example uses codes such as L01 instead of names. Codes alone do not anonymize real people's data if it can still be linked to them.
A small dictionary prevents guesswork.
A data dictionary describes the meaning, type, unit and coding of each column. Agree on these definitions before collecting data and share them with anyone reviewing the file.
| Column | Meaning | Example Rule |
|---|---|---|
| learner_id | Learner ID | Unique text identifier for each learner |
| hours | Weekly study hours | A number from 0 to 168; blank means not recorded |
| mode | Preferred study mode | Individual or group |
Zero means zero hours were recorded; a blank means the value is unavailable. Do not automatically replace blanks with zero: that changes the data's meaning.
Find the two rows that need review.
We have one week, and each learner should appear once. Select every row that violates the dictionary rules or needs a source check. Missing values follow the agreed coding.
| Select | ID | Hours | Mode |
|---|
How should we handle these findings?
180 exceeds the hours in a week: check the source, do not guess a replacement. Repeated L02 needs investigation to determine whether the row is duplicated or the ID is wrong. Record the original value, the edit and its reason, and retain the source. The blank for L04 is not zero.
Recall the idea before revealing the answer.
Six questions, with an explanation for every answer.
Answer every question. You can try again; this demo does not award a certificate or academic assessment.