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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply the techniques of data processing 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262557  Apply the techniques of data processing 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Statistics 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Mathematical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of statistics. Learners would be able to contribute to a quality hierarchy of skills required to provide quality services in statistics by applying the techniques of data processing.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Code, enter, verify and validate data.
  • Check and edit data.
  • Impute missing values under supervision.
  • Transform the structure of data and tabulate the data. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics NQF Level 4.
  • Communication NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Code, enter, verify and validate data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Responses from an open question are classified and coded into numerical values. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The questionnaires are reviewed to ensure that the minimum data required are reported. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data are verified and validated using a variety of methods to ensure accuracy of data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Data from paper questionnaires are captured into an electronic file using the available means. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Frequency tables are constructed to validate data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Quality control measures are discussed in order to assess and evaluate the quality of data. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Check and edit data. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Checking and editing is done manually as well as using computer software. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Reasons for editing census and survey data are stated to justify the editing stage of data processing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Types and sources of errors are identified and described to reflect on what to look for during editing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different types of edits are explained and implemented for a given data set. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types of edits includes but not limited to validity, range, duplication, consistency, historical, statistical and miscellaneous edits.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effectiveness and limitations of the various types of edits are discussed to reflect on data quality issues. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Computer commands are written to perform automatic data editing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Available software is used to perform micro and macro edits to identify errors in data files. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Risks associated with editing are discussed to highlight the issues to be careful with. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Impute missing values under supervision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term imputation is explained within the context of missing values. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different imputation techniques are described to reflect the relative advantage and disadvantage of each technique. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Imputation techniques include but not limited to substitution, estimator, cold deck and hot deck.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate imputation technique is used to replace a missing, invalid or an incomplete response. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose of imputation is explained to highlight the significance of the techniques. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Transform the structure of data and tabulate the data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The data structure used to input data is transformed for tabulation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate tables are constructed to summarize data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The data structure is transformed to one that is suitable for statistical packages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The data are prepared for storage and archiving. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.
  • The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area, post qualification.
  • The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification.

    > Internal moderation.
    > External moderation.
    > An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
    > Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
    > All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
    > Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
    > Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
    > Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
    > Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • Computer software.
  • Graphical and tabular representations.

    Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Purpose of the investigation.
  • Verifying and validating data.
  • Ensuring the accuracy of data.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Coding data.
  • Editing data.
  • Entering data.

    Cause and effect, implications of:

    > Incorrect coding, editing and entering of data lead to misinformation.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Coding data.
  • Types of edits.
  • Imputation techniques for missing values.
  • Transformation of data structure.
  • Entering data.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • National Statistical Offices.
  • National Statistics Act.

    Theory: Rules, laws, principles:
  • UN Fundamental Principles.
  • Types of edits.
  • Methods of ensuring accurate data.

    Relationships, systems:
  • The relationship between the incorrect coding, editing and entering of collected data and misinformation in decision making. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Recognising the problem to be solved and applying the techniques of coding, editing and entering data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Team work in coding, editing and entering data.
  • Consultation with supervisor. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Coding, entering, verifying and validating data.
  • Imputing missing values.
  • Transforming the structure of data and tabulating data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • The effectiveness and limitations of the different types of edits.
  • The methods used to ensure the accuracy of data.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of different techniques used to impute missing values. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Editing information.
  • Imputing missing values.
  • Transforming the structure of data and tabulating data.
  • Drawing meaningful conclusions in the given scenario. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Coding and editing data.
  • Entering and recording data.
  • Verifying and validating data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Recognising the relationship between the accurate coding, editing and entering of collected data and statistical inference.
  • Recognising the influences of accurate coding, editing and entering of data on the social, political, economic, legislative and environmental contexts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65649   National Certificate: Official Statistics  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.