Posts by tag
data analysis
When discussing data collection, outliers inevitably come up. What is an outlier exactly? It’s a data point that is significantly different from other data points in a data set. While this definition might seem straightforward, determining what is or isn’t an outlier is actually pretty subjective, depending on the study…
Why to Keep a Log File and How to Keep It in R
One of the first things we are taught in Programming 101 is to write a well-structured and commented code. And as any newbie would, we ignore this lesson and focus on achieving the end result. Recently, I coded a R (the R language!) script to be run on files amounting…
Collect Changeblog: Now Download Your Data as an Excel Spreadsheet
Successful data collection is only half the battle won, smart data analysis is the other half. We have just added a new feature on Collect that will make your analysis easier and give you more control over your data. Now you can download your data as an Excel spreadsheet using Collect. Download…
An Insider’s Peek into Life in the SocialCops Data Team
At SocialCops, data is at the core of all our decisions, from small decisions like changing the header image of our website to big decisions like empowering policy makers with the correct information. We never take a step without consulting our friend, data. This means that the Data Team at…
Cross Tabulation: How It Works and Why You Should Use It
Cross tabulation is a method to quantitatively analyze the relationship between multiple variables. Also known as contingency tables or cross tabs, cross tabulation groups variables to understand the correlation between different variables. It also shows how correlations change from one variable grouping to another. It is usually used in statistical analysis…
All You Need to Know About Psychographic vs. Demographic Questions
The human element is one of the most important aspects of any study. The responses to a survey must be given context by associating them with the characteristics of the population being observed. Demographics is the study of human population, where people are described in terms of basic features like…
5 Things You Should Know Before You Make a Pie Chart
You read it correctly. How to make a pie chart? You must be wondering why I am even writing this in the first place. Some of you may think pie charts are evil and shouldn’t be used. Some people are still under the illusion that they always make a pie…
A Day in the Life of a SocialCops Data Analyst
I did not have a traditional college experience. While studying at Grinnell College, I spent a year living in Pune, Delhi and Mumbai, where I completed two internships, learned Hindi, traveled the country, and studied Economics at St. Stephen’s College. This year inspired me to leave my home in Kentucky…
How PAISA Is Establishing Data Driven Accountability in the Education Sector
“Do Schools Get Their Money?” is one of the key questions which drives the PAISA (Planning, Allocations and Expenditures, Institutions: Studies in Accountability) project at Accountability Initiative (AI). Tracking financial flows in the Indian social sector for research and advocacy can be a challenging. To understand the role of data…
Why We Do What We Do: Our Learnings From a Pilot Study in Taoru
Be the change you wish to see in the world. A few years ago, I read this quote while walking and holding the hand of the children I used to teach. It struck me so deeply that it has kept me going to this day. Change is a long process – one…