Using Relational Database Software To Prepare An Archival Dataset For Importation Into A Statistical Analysis Package

Abstract

Researchers frequently find that archival data that they need to test their theoretical models must undergo a variety of preparatory steps before the data are ready to be loaded into their favorite statistical analysis package.  Although some powerful software tools and techniques to handle such data preparation do exist and are relatively easy to learn, many researchers remain unaware of them.  The purpose of this paper is to introduce some of these data preparation tools and techniques by use of a hands-on demonstration.  The demonstration begins with data embedded in a Web page and shows how a spreadsheet, a word processor, and the SQL language from a relational database can be used to make the extracted “ready for prime-time.”  The original Web page data for the demonstration can be downloaded from the authors’ web page; the software packages used to prepare the data are MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Access.  Although SPSS is used for the statistical analysis described in the final phase of the process, readers do not have to have this software to benefit from the demonstration.  Any statistical analysis package could be used.