Have you ever gone to analyze the results of a survey in which you’ve asked for open-ended numeric information (that is, number based fields where respondents type in a number instead of choosing from a drop down list) only to find that many/some of your respondents have entered things like “10-20″ or “about 15?” You’re not alone. While many survey systems work to defeat these “alphanumeric elaborations,” Marak Fuchs published a paper last year in which he discussed the “optimal visual design of open-ended frequency questions in web surveys in order to reduce the percentage of alphanumeric elaborations and explicit extremes to frequency questions.” (more…)

In the March 2007 issue of Research, Tim Macer reviewed streamBASE GmbH’s Coding-Modul, a program specifically designed to assist in the process of coding a significant number of open-ended questions. Tim gave the software a generally positive review (4 out of 5 for ease of use; 4.5 out of 5 for value). 

Tim liked the fact that Coding-Modul was a well-crafted system full of practical features for coding; that it allows you to easily distribute ‘packages’ of coding work to non-net connected individuals who are using standalone PCs; that it integrates seamlessly with Readsoft Forms; and that it has powerful administrative features to manage workflow.

Coding-Modul lost points because it is windows-based only; that automation features for typed texts are limited and that the documentation is not yet available in English (although it may be now).

• Read Tim Macer’s review of Coding-Modul
• Learn more about Coding-Modul at the stramBASE GmbH web site