Please note that the following instructions
are intended for users of Epi Info 2000 only. If you have installed
Epi Info 6.04 please click here to
obtain the correct instructions for your version.
The Module Three Homework assignment is to create a data entry screen
using the CDC's Epi Info software. This assignment will teach you
how to use Epi Info to transform this document into a computerized
data entry system. This will give you a way to enter data for later
analysis.
This assignment requires that you have Epi Info installed on your
computer. If you have not already done so please go to the Module
Three Webwork section and obtain the required software.
Assignment
Using the PDS cover page from your Module Two Homework assignment
you will create a database in Epi Info to capture data collected using
this form. Printable versions of the PDS cover sheet are available
below.
Detailed Instructions: Before you begin we strongly recommend you download the Epi
Info 2000 manual and read the section on "MakeView", Epi
Info's questionnaire creation module. It is available by going to
[http://www.cdc.gov/epiinfo/EI2kdown.htm#Manual]
and selecting either the MS Word link or the Adobe PDF link. Either
file should be downloaded to your desktop and run to expand them.
Open the Epi Info 2000 menu application by either double clicking
its desktop shortcut or by going to START > PROGRAMS >
EPI INFO 2000 > EPI INFO 2000 (menu)
On Epi Info's main menu screen click the "MakeView"
option
The MakeView window should open. The left pane shows a listing
of pages that you have created. While the right pane shows the
page you are currently working on. When you open MakeView no
view is selected so you must create a new one. Select FILE >
MAKE NEW VIEW
Since no project file is currently open the save window will
appear and you will be prompted to name your project file and
select a save location. Give the file your last name (for easier
identification on our end) and save it to a location you'll
remember
As soon as you save your new project file you will be prompted
to name the "view" you are creating. A project can
contain many "views" but for this assignment you will
only need one. Give the view a name you will remember and click
OK
You should now see the two panes which make up the MakeView
area. The right pane is the view you created in the previous
step. It is blank because you have yet to add variable fields.
To add your first variable simply right-click anywhere within
the gridded right pane.
The Field Definition window contains numerous options for
formatting your field. When you first insert a new field Epi
Info will assume you want a text variable. If you want another
kind of variable select it from the "Field or Variable
Type" section of the Field Definition window. Here are
a few of the field formatting options you are likely to encounter
regularly.
The "Question
or Prompt" area is reserved for the text you wish to appear
before your field. Prompt text can be formatted using the "Font
for Prompt" button.
The "Field
Name" area is used to define the name by which Epi Info
will identify the field you create. This area will be automatically
filled when you complete the "Question or Prompt"
area.
The "Repeat
Last" checkbox repeats the last entered value for this
field when doing data entry (this is usefull if you have a field
which almost always has the same value)
The "Required"
checkbox will prevent the user from skipping questions
The "Soundex"
option stores text entries in a quasi-phonetic form which can
be useful when searching for names (for instance, Smith and
Smyth are treated identically)
While the same data may be captured in many formats it is important
that you select field format parameters to facilitate data entry
and analysis. For instance, let us assume you were given the
following question and asked to create a field to capture the
data collected.
"How much do you enjoy Walt Disney movies?"
A. Alot
B. Not so much
C. Not at all
The answers to this question could be captured by
(a) typing them out long form [alot, not so much,...],
(b) typing them as a single character text variable [A, B, or
C],
(c) entering them as a number [1=A, 2=B, 3=C],
(d) entering them by clicking a "radio button" [
]
Which is the best choice will depend upon a number of factors
(who is doing the entry, how error prone the data is,...). For
the purposes of this assignment it is sufficient to ensure you
have one field for each of the five variables on the PDS cover
sheet. Try different formatting options. For more information
on commands or using the MakeView option please consult the
Epi Info 2000 help menu.
When you have specified all the options you want applied click
OK to generate the new field. Position it on the page by dragging
with your mouse.
Repeat steps 6-8 for each variable you want to create.
Go to FILE > SAVE (the file will be saved under the name
you specified in step 4.
Locate the file you just saved, attach it to an email, and
send it to your instructor for grading (or your teaching assistant
for review)
The "Question
or Prompt" area is reserved for the text you wish to appear
before your field. Prompt text can be formatted using the "Font
for Prompt" button.