A Data Management Model for Multinational Surveys Toward Meta-Analysis

• Activity Number: 445
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Maureen Kelly and Annette Green* and Safaa Amer
• Companies: RTI International and RTI International and RTI International
• Keywords: multinational ; data management ; meta-analysis ; international ; documentation ; quality control

Abstract

While data management in general is a multi-step process, when working with multinational surveys the challenges intensify. Dealing with questionnaires undergoing some adaptation from country to country, accounting for updates and improvements to the data extract process, formatting and database structure, and time constraints are just some of the challenges that need to be handled toward generating datasets suitable for cross-country comparisons and meta-analysis. To best deal with these issues, we have created a team-based approach that allows all team member to be versed in the entire process and thus capable of better Quality Control. Building a process for handling fast-track multi-country data management and documenting such a process have been a critical key for success that we would demonstrate as a model for adaptation for multi-national surveys. A major consideration while working with such surveys is to facilitate the meta-analysis step by contrasting and combining results from different countries to possibly identify patterns within the study results. The sooner meta-analysis can begin, the sooner its results can be used to possibly affect future aspects of the study.