Factors affecting coding errors

Sidney E. Owsowitz, Anders Sweetland

ResearchPublished 1965

A discussion of several studies to determine the major factors contributing to coding errors, the biggest problem in any information system. The studies employ various codes--numeric, alpha, alphanumerc, and mnemonic--and use as subjects Air Force maintenance personnel whose coding routine is similar to the method of recording real-world maintenance data. Their coded information is keypunched and the resulting decks analyzed to determine which factors led to the highest and lowest error rates. The twelve major findings are given in detail, and appear sufficient to serve as testable hypotheses for further experimentation.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1965
  • Pages: 29
  • Document Number: RM-4346-PR

Citation

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Owsowitz, Sidney E. and Anders Sweetland, Factors affecting coding errors. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1965. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM4346.html.
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