Bar coding
A bar coded ID system could be implement in data collection and inputting into the computer system. If a bar-coded ID card is provided to the individual level in the study area, the data collection staff could easily collect the data without error, as the individual’s registration number will be captured by a scanner.
The main advantages of bar-coding technology are accuracy, data integrity, ease of implementation, cost effectiveness and speed of data capture (double entry not required).
Accuracy: For every 1,000 characters typed by a keyboard operator, there are an average of ten keying errors. For an Optical Character Reader (OCR), there is one error in every 10,000 reads. Bar coding systems have about one error in every 3,000,000 characters when using wands, and one error in every 70 million characters when using laser technology .
Data integrity: Probable number of substitution errors for every 3,400,000 characters entered: by Keyboard Entry there would be 10,000 entry errors, by OCR Scanning there would be 300 entry errors, and by Bar Coding (Code 39), there would be one entry error.
Ease of implementation: Operators of bar code scanners can learn to use the equipment effectively in less than 15 minutes. System costs are lower than other means of data entry because of the existence of interfacing hardware and software.
Cost effectiveness: Bar coding has a demonstrated payback period of six to eighteen months. In short, bar coding has the proven highest level of reliability. Scanning equipment is also cheaper than readers for magnetic stripes. Printing equipment for bar coding is also less expensive than similar equipment needed for magnetic stripes. Bar code labels can be used in harsh environments where there are extreme temperatures and dirt.
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