Coding Unit

Test formats may include, among other things, “open-ended questions,” for which the answers are expressed as free text without a predefined solution schema. It is the responsibility of the coding department to evaluate such open format answers.

The answers are assigned pre-defined solution categories in the form of numeric codes so that the data can then be analyzed. Trained encoders evaluate the answers and assign codes on the basis of coding instructions developed (generally by those who commission the studies) for each open-ended question. The codes are assigned with the help of coding software on a PC.

The coding unit coordinates and supports the work of outside encoders who are engaged and trained for a project. It organizes and monitors the dispatch of the data packages to the encoders, the returns and the further processing of the data, and it is responsible for quality control. Reliability measures are specified for monitoring coding and data quality.

Another area of responsibility of the coding unit is the processing of occupational and professional information into standardized classifications such as ISCO08, ISCO88, ISIC, ISCED, KLDB and the computation of related social status indices (EGP, ISEI etc).

Guido Martin
IEA Data Processing and Research Center
Mexikoring 37
22297 Hamburg
Germany

Phone: +49 40 48 500 612
Fax: +49 40 48 500 501
Email: ka@iea-dpc.de