Data Collection

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One of the most important factors in determining the value that data can bring to an organisation is the quality of data collected. The Audit Commission describes data quality using the six dimensions of accuracy, validity, reliability, timeliness, relevance and completeness. We use these dimensions as a focus when planning and managing data collection activities.

Demonstrated Data Collection Success

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Some of the data collection activities which RM Data Solutions undertakes for its customers are explained below.

Collection of Educational Attainment Data and Pupil Information (DCSF)

This work is carried out under the National Pupil Database Achievement and Attainment Tables (NPD/AAT) contract. It has the dual objectives of: 

  • Creating the database (the NPD) covering learners and their attainment across England.
  • Publishing the Assessment and Attainment Tables (AATs) for school age learners.

This data is central in driving forward improvements to education in England and it is essential that RM Data Solutions achieves a very high standard of data quality.

The collection phase consists of two separate exercises – the collection of attainment data from awarding bodies and the capture of additional information and amendments from schools.

The collection of data from awarding bodies is highly time critical with the need to collect, validate and process over 12 million pieces of attainment information within 14 working days. RM Data Solutions’ success in this exercise hinges on:

  • Maintaining an excellent working relationship with awarding bodies, the DCSF and other stakeholders such as QCDA
  • Well designed collection processes and supporting IT systems
  • Particularly strong service delivery management

One of the critical success factors in the school checking exercise is to reduce the burden on schools in providing information. RM Data Solutions achieves this through:

  • Building a detailed understanding of the process from the schools’ perspective
  • Providing as straightforward and intuitive an interface as possible through websites and paper based information capture 
  • Supporting schools through a helpdesk service which works closely with the project’s data analysts and service delivery managers
  • A focus on process improvement

Collection of Pupil Survey Information (NFER)

Working in partnership with NFER, RM Data Solutions has created the Tellus4 survey portal for the DCSF. The Tellus4 survey captures information from pupils about their life, local area and experience in education. It provides invaluable information on young people's wellbeing which is used to inform policy decisions as part of the Every Child Matters agenda.

One of the challenges that RM Data Solutions was set was to create a means of collecting survey information which is fully accessible to pupils with a wide range of special needs. In response to this, RM Data Solutions has created a highly accessible website which gives pupils being surveyed the choice of having questions presented to them through the medium of text, audio, video or the use of symbols.

Tellus is an excellent example of RM Data Solutions’ skills in:

  • User accessibility design
  • Technical website implementation, and
  • Hosting.

 
 

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