Data and Statistics Section

Head of Section:  Professor Jonathan Levin

Background: The Data and Statistics section provides support for all projects and programmes in the MRC/UVRI Unit, as well as conducting research of its own. Currently the section has seven statisticians, two programmers, seven data managers and thirty data entry officers (DEOs). Data entry is spread over three MRC sites (Entebbe, Masaka and Kyamulibwa), with data being entered from over 20 different studies.

1. Data processing:  A data manager is assigned to each of the studies within the MRC unit. Data management comprises several key tasks:
   (a) ensuring that data capture forms from all studies are accurately entered
   (b) cleaning electronic databases by following up on unusual values
   (c) ensuring that there are no missing forms
   (d) ensuring that hard copies of forms can be easily retrieved through an archive system
   (e) merging and appending files to prepare for statistical analysis
   (f) responding to requests for routine analyses such as those needed for annual reports or producing line listings for project leaders.
   errors in the data and how they can be detected at data entry.

Data managers also train experienced DEOs to undertake some resolution of queries and find records in the data where discrepancies have been observed; this has the added benefit of making the DEOs more aware of possible... more
Statistics and data team