Cody's Data Cleaning Techniques Using SAS Software (Paperback)

by Ronald P. Cody (Author) "There are some basic operations that need to be routinely performed when dealing with character data values..." (more)
Key Phrases: Data Cleaning Techniques Using, Checking Values of Numeric Variables, Using Validation Data Sets (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Cody's Data Cleaning Techniques Using SAS Software is the perfect solution for anyone faced with the problems of dealing with messy data. This is an easy-to-follow, very comprehensive exploration of the techniques needed to get data in shape for analysis and reporting. It is an ideal book for the beginning SAS user, loaded with many clear examples of different types of data problems and step-by-step explanations of the solutions. Intermediate and advanced SAS users will also find it quite beneficial. It provides a solid introduction to new data cleaning features available with SAS 7 and 8 and is an ideal refresher for often overlooked, simple solutions. This book is a 'must have' addition to the SAS library of anyone who prepares and cleans data for analysis and reporting. --S. David Riba, CEO, JADE Tech, Inc.

Cody's Data Cleaning Techniques Using SAS Software will become the 'bible' for any person whose responsibility is to collect data for further analysis. Ron extensively covers, with numerous examples, the tedious task of validating raw data. Written for the novice SAS user with easy-to-follow code, but comprehensive enough that any experienced user will find data cleaning techniques to add to their tool box. --Bob Schechter, Systems Engineer, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

I found this to be an outstanding publication. It’s a fantastic tool to learn some general SAS® techniques. -- Andrew T. Kuligowski Southeast SAS Users Group

The author extensively covers the task of validating raw data with numerous examples and easy-to-follow code. -- Bob Schechter, Systems Engineer AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

The author, Ron Cody, has a well-deserved reputation in the SAS world as a writer and as a speaker, with several other books and professional papers to his credit. In this book Ron uses an informal, almost chatty style to present various methods to verify the contents of input data sets. Ron ensures that the reader understands WHY a particular solution was suggested and HOW it actually works. However, if the reader only takes the material at face value, he is doing himself a great disservice. Cody's Data Cleaning Techniques Using SAS Software can be used as a fantastic tool to learn some general SAS usage techniques! The beginning SAS programmer can find numerous examples of how to apply various DATA step tools such as formats and functions, and PROCs such as FORMAT, TABULATE, and UNIVARIATE, to real-world examples. The principles discussed in Ron's book can easily be understood and applied by those who have no interest in the stated topic of 'data cleaning.' Even the more experienced SAS programmer can find techniques that they might not have thought of independently. And, for those who want further information about the coding techniques, Ron frequently includes references to outside materials that delve further into the current topic. Overall, I found this to be an outstanding publication, and it will be an excellent addition to my professional library. --Andrew T. Kuligowski, Southeast SAS Users Group

This is an easy-to-follow, very comprehensive exploration of the techniques needed to get data in shape for analysis and reporting. -- S. David Riba, CEO JADE Tech, Inc.

Product Description
The key to ensuring accurate data is having clean data. This book develops and describes data cleaning programs and macros. You can use many of the programs and macros that are provided, as is, or you can modify them for your own special data cleaning tasks. Ron has carefully explained and documented each of the programs and macros, thus providing you with SAS programming instruction on an intermediate-to-advanced level. Topics presented include validation checks on character data, numeric data, missing values, and date values; searching for duplicate records; working with multiple files; double entry and verification using the COMPARE procedure; and SQL solutions and using validation data sets. Written in Ron's signature informal, tutorial style, this book gives anyone who manages data thoroughly documented, step-by-step instructions for the development of data cleaning programs and macros.

Supports releases 6.12 and higher of SAS software.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: SAS Publishing; 1 edition (November 29, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580256007
• ISBN-13: 978-1580256001
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #260,656 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent As Usual!, December 4, 2003

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ron Cody is the master of SAS educational books: His clear informal style is undaunting, he supplies plenty of examples, and he explains both what you need to know and why you need to know it.

Many books teach SAS programming, but few of them explain how to identify "hidden" errors, such as duplicate observations, out-of-range or missing values, and whether an ID value is in each of two or more files. These are important checks, because programs will often run and look fine, even though they may contain these database errors (or, if not errors, assumptions that are not true).

The majority of the book is for intermediate to advanced users who set up databases for statistical manipulation. Although Cody tries to simplify things, it appeared that some techniques such as PROC SQL and macros assume some prior basic knowledge. However, as evident from the chapters listed below, there are valuable lessons that will help intermediate (and even some "advanced beginners" ) level users.

Chapters:
1. Checking Values of Character Variables
2. Checking Values of Numeric Variables
3. Checking for Missing Values
4. Working with Dates
5. Looking for Duplicates and "n" Observations per Subject
6. Working with Multiple Files
7. Double Entry and Verification (PROC COMPARE)
8. Some SQL Solutions to Data Cleaning
9. Using Validation Data Sets
Appendix: Listing of Raw Data Files and SAS Programs

There are lots of program examples and output that really make this a useful book. 226 pages, including index. Another great job by this author!

5.0 out of 5 stars New edition available, July 8, 2009

By	Ronald Cody "SAS Man" (Texas and New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Please be aware that there is a second edition of this book (at the same price). Therefore, be sure you buy the second edition and not the original. Here is a link to the second edition: Cody's Data Cleaning Techniques Using SAS, Second Edition.

I have rewritten every program and every macro in the new edition. There are also many more useful macros available (you can download them from the SAS Web site). Also new is a chapter on SAS integrity constraints and audit trails.