Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Thesis Writing for Master's and Ph.D. Program pp 93–112Cite as

Preparing and Decoding the Master Chart

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 4025 Accesses

Abstract

After data collection, the next logical step towards drawing meaningful conclusions from the collected data will be data analysis. However, before carrying out the actual data analysis, one has to look hard at the data and prepare it to facilitate further analysis. This will provide better insight into the feasibility of the analysis to be performed as well as the resources required. It also allows us to visualise the data and to choose appropriate and valid method of analysis which will produce reliable inferences. Construction of a Master Chart is a sine qua non of this process. Unfortunately, the various steps involved in the preparation of Master Chart are often overlooked by many researchers. This chapter takes the reader through the various steps involved in the preparation and decoding of Master Chart.

Organising is what you do before you do something, so that when you do, you do not get it mixed up—AA Milne

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Sharma DC. Poor research output from India’s medical schools. Lancet. 2016;387(10034):e28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Tullu MS, Karande S. Quality research in Indian medical colleges and teaching institutions: the need of the hour. J Postgrad Med. 2016;62(4):213–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Surkis A, Read K. Research data management. J Med Libr Assoc. 2015;103(3):154–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Nahm ML, Pieper CF, Cunningham MM. Quantifying data quality for clinical trials using electronic data capture. PLoS One. 2008;3(8):e3049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Newgard CD, Zive D, Jui J, Weathers C, Daya M. Electronic versus manual data processing: evaluating the use of electronic health records in out-of-hospital clinical research. Acad Emerg Med Off J Soc Acad Emerg Med. 2012;19(2):217–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Epstein L, Martin A. Coding variables. In: Kempf-Leonard K, editor. Encyclopedia of social measurement, vol. 1. New York: Academic press; 2005. p. 321–7.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. Gibbs GR, Friese S, Mangabeira WC. The use of new technology in qualitative research. Introduction to issue 3(2) of FQS. Forum Qual Soc Res. 2002;3(2):8.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Sarvela PD, McDermott RJ. Health education evaluation and measurement: a practitioner’s perspective. Madison, WI: Brown & Benchmark; 1993. p. 334.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Schleicher A, Saito M. Data preparation and management. In: Ross KN, editor. Quantitative research methods in educational planning: IIEP training modules, No010. Paris. International Institute for Educational Planning & UNESCO: France; 2005. p. 78.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Varkevisser CM, Brownlee AT, Pathmanathan I. Designing and conducting health systems research projects: proposal development and fieldwork. Vol. 1. Amsterdam: KIT Publishers and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC); 2003. p. 357.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Collier J. Using SPSS Syntax: a beginner’s guide. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd; 2009. p. 35–6.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. Guide to social science data preparation and archiving: best practice through the data life cycle. 5th ed. Ann Arbor, MI: ICPSR, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bourque LB. Coding. In: Lewis-Beck MS, Bryman A, Liao TF, editors. The SAGE encyclopedia of social science research methods. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.; 2004. p. 132–6.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Muraya PI, Coe RI, Garlick CSSC. Research data management, vol. 123. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Altman DG. Preparing to analyse data. In: Practical statistics for medical research. 1st ed. London: Chapman and Hall; 1991. p. 122–32.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Casley DJ, Lury DA. Data collection in developing countries. 2nd ed. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press; 1987. p. 240.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Anderson TW, Sclove SL. Introduction to the statistical analysis of data, vol. 704. Boston: Houghton Mifflin; 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Elhance DN. Fundamentals of statistics, vol. 4. 32nd ed. Allahabad: Kitab Mahal Agencies; 1986. p. 1–4.30.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pillai RSN, Bagavathi V. Statistics (theory & practice). 7th ed. New Delhi: S. Chand & Company LTD; 2008. p. 50–79.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Sturges HA. The choice of a class interval. J Am Stat Assoc. 1926;21(153):65–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Displaying public health data. In: Principles of epidemiology in public health practice: an introduction to applied epidemiology and biostatistics. 3rd ed. Atlanta: Office of Workforce and Career Development, CDC; 2006. p. 511.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, India

    Meenakshi Girish (Associate Professor)

  2. Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India

    Senthil Amudhan (Associate Professor)

Authors
  1. Meenakshi Girish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Senthil Amudhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed University), Pondicherry, India

    Subhash Chandra Parija

  2. Department of Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India

    Vikram Kate

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Girish, M., Amudhan, S. (2018). Preparing and Decoding the Master Chart. In: Parija, S., Kate, V. (eds) Thesis Writing for Master's and Ph.D. Program. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0890-1_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0890-1_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-0889-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-0890-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation