UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Data coding involves transforming raw responses, especially to open or complex questions, into numerical or symbolic codes that represent categories or values. This step allows the data to be grouped, tabulated and processed by statistical software. Good coding schemes preserve essential distinctions while simplifying the data structure. Thus, the process described in the stem is correctly called data coding.

Option A:
Data entry refers to the act of inputting coded or numerical data into a computer or database but presupposes that coding has already been done where necessary. It is about transferring information rather than assigning symbols to categories in the first place. Therefore, entry is not the correct completion.

Option B:
Coding links qualitative or categorical information to numeric representations, making it possible to compute frequencies, percentages and other statistics. Clear and consistent coding is critical for valid analysis, which fits precisely with the description given in the question.

Option C:
Data cleaning involves checking the dataset for errors, inconsistencies or missing values and correcting or documenting them before analysis. While it may interact with coding decisions, it is conceptually distinct from the initial assignment of symbols or numbers. Hence, cleaning is not the best answer.

Option D:
Data mining refers to sophisticated techniques for discovering patterns or relationships in very large datasets, often using algorithms. It assumes the data are already coded appropriately and is not the name of the basic categorising process described in the stem.