Whether you intend to develop your own surveys, oversee contracted survey work, or use existing survey data, this workshop provides essential strategies for creating and interpreting codebooks that support effective, organized data collection and documentation. A well-constructed codebook serves as the bridge between raw data and meaningful analysis. This workshop is ideal for professionals involved in designing surveys, managing datasets, or preparing data for analysis, particularly in public or nonprofit settings where data accuracy is critical. No advanced technical skills are required, though a basic familiarity with Excel or spreadsheets will be helpful.

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to explain the purpose and structure of a survey codebook and be able to design one using spreadsheet tools. They will be able to apply strategies for consistent data entry to minimize errors and support reproducible analysis. Participants will also learn how to interpret codebooks developed by others, a vital skill for those working with external data sources or managing evaluation contracts.