11  Codebook

After a questionnaire is created, the next step is to create an electronic version. The electronic versions however come with specific peculiarities, some of which need to be linked with the original questionnaire. The link between the questionnaire and the electronic data entry application is the codebook. A designed electronic database may look like the figure below:

Table 11.1:

Example Codebook

Variable name	Source	Meaning	Codes	Valid range	Format
id	Q1	5	2020	120/80 hhhh	9
sex	Q2	2	2019	132/66	9
byear	Q3	12	2010	110/76	9
schooled	Q4	3	1982	144/98	8
children	Q5	8	2000	117/77	8

However, the data is typically organized in a row and column matrix as shown below, with each column representing a variable. This is as depicted below:

Figure 11.1: Example Datasheet

Linking the data collection screen and the data may be challenging in the absence of the codebook. For instance, the link between the variable names and questions in the questionnaire can be challenging.

A typical codebook has various parts. These are the Variable name, Source, Meaning, Codes, Valid Ranges and Format

11.1 Variable name

11.2 Source

11.3 Meaning

11.4 Codes

11.5 Valid range

11.6 Format