Using partitioned databases for statistical data analysis
R. J. Brooks, Meera M. Blattner, Zdzisław Pawlak, Eamon Barrett · 1981
The statistical analysis of scientific data is a process that can be viewed as consisting of three fundamental phases. First, the observations are recorded. Next, they are encoded into a numeric form suitable for statistical analysis. Finally, the calculations are performed for the particular type of analysis needed for the design of the study. This ordering is, however, only conceptual; in most real studies, the three phases interact and are overlapped. Thus, it may be the case that a preliminary analysis run indicates that a more refined coding scheme is needed or that the coding process reveals deficiencies in the data collection.