Data entry is the process of digitizing data by entering it into a computer system for organization and management purposes. It is a person-based process [1] and is "one of the important basic" [2] tasks needed when no machine-readable version of the information is readily available for planned computer-based analysis or processing. [3]
Sometimes what is needed is "information about information (that) can be greater than the value of the information itself." [4] It can also involve filling in required information which is then "data-entered" from what was written on the research document, such as the growth in available items in a category. [4]: 68 This is a higher level of abstraction [5] than metadata, "information about data." [6] Common errors in data entry include transposition errors, misclassified data, duplicate data, and omitted data, which are similar to bookkeeping errors.
Data entry is often done with a keyboard and at times also using a mouse, [7] although a manually-fed scanner may be involved. [8]
Historically, devices lacking any pre-processing capabilities were used. [9]
Data entry using keypunches was related to the concept of batch processing – there was no immediate feedback. [10] [11]
Computer keyboards and online data-entry provide the ability to give feedback to the data entry clerk doing the work. [12] [13]
The addition of numeric keypads to computer keyboards [14] introduced quicker and often also less error-prone entry of numeric data. [15]
The use of a computer mouse, typically on a personal computer, opened up another option for doing data entry. [16]
Touch screens introduced even more options, including the ability to stand and do data entry, [16] especially given "a proper height of work surface when performing data entry."
Although most data entered into a computer are stored in a database, a significant amount is stored in a spreadsheet. [17] The use of spreadsheets instead of databases for data entry can be traced to the 1979 introduction of Visicalc, [18] and what some consider the wrong place [19] for storing computational data continues. [20]
Format control [21] and specialized data validation are reasons that have been cited for using database-oriented data entry software. [22] [23]
The search for assurance about the accuracy of the data entry process predates computer keyboards and online data entry. [24] [25] IBM even went beyond their 056 Card Verifier and developed their quieter IBM 059 model. [26]
Modern techniques go beyond mere range checks, especially when the new data can be evaluated using probability about an event. [27]
In one study, a medical school tested its second year students and found their data entry skills – needed if they are to do small-scale unfunded research as part of their training – were below what the school considered acceptable, creating potential barriers. [2] [28]
Data entry is the process of digitizing data by entering it into a computer system for organization and management purposes. It is a person-based process [1] and is "one of the important basic" [2] tasks needed when no machine-readable version of the information is readily available for planned computer-based analysis or processing. [3]
Sometimes what is needed is "information about information (that) can be greater than the value of the information itself." [4] It can also involve filling in required information which is then "data-entered" from what was written on the research document, such as the growth in available items in a category. [4]: 68 This is a higher level of abstraction [5] than metadata, "information about data." [6] Common errors in data entry include transposition errors, misclassified data, duplicate data, and omitted data, which are similar to bookkeeping errors.
Data entry is often done with a keyboard and at times also using a mouse, [7] although a manually-fed scanner may be involved. [8]
Historically, devices lacking any pre-processing capabilities were used. [9]
Data entry using keypunches was related to the concept of batch processing – there was no immediate feedback. [10] [11]
Computer keyboards and online data-entry provide the ability to give feedback to the data entry clerk doing the work. [12] [13]
The addition of numeric keypads to computer keyboards [14] introduced quicker and often also less error-prone entry of numeric data. [15]
The use of a computer mouse, typically on a personal computer, opened up another option for doing data entry. [16]
Touch screens introduced even more options, including the ability to stand and do data entry, [16] especially given "a proper height of work surface when performing data entry."
Although most data entered into a computer are stored in a database, a significant amount is stored in a spreadsheet. [17] The use of spreadsheets instead of databases for data entry can be traced to the 1979 introduction of Visicalc, [18] and what some consider the wrong place [19] for storing computational data continues. [20]
Format control [21] and specialized data validation are reasons that have been cited for using database-oriented data entry software. [22] [23]
The search for assurance about the accuracy of the data entry process predates computer keyboards and online data entry. [24] [25] IBM even went beyond their 056 Card Verifier and developed their quieter IBM 059 model. [26]
Modern techniques go beyond mere range checks, especially when the new data can be evaluated using probability about an event. [27]
In one study, a medical school tested its second year students and found their data entry skills – needed if they are to do small-scale unfunded research as part of their training – were below what the school considered acceptable, creating potential barriers. [2] [28]