The discussion in this book begins at the point where completed data collection schedules are in the hands of the analyst, and takes the reader through each of the steps required to prepare the statistical analyses. The topics treated here include: organizing the data processing - determining the data storage structures - preparing data for encoding into machine-readable form (editing) - designing and using codes for transcribing data (coding) - controlling the consistency and quality of data - constructing scales and indices - shepherding the data through commonly used statistical computations - managing the project. Of particular interest to readers new to the use of computer-based statistical analysis techniques are the sections dealing with data structures (Chapter 2), code construction (Chapter 4), negotiating with the computer center (Chapter 9), and the basic ideas underlying the use of statistical programs (Chapter 8). Both new and experienced practiotioners will find the sections on the computation of indices and of Guttman, Thurstone, and Likert scales useful (Chapter 7). those whose knowledge of set theory is minimal will find helpful the discussion of this topic and how it applies both to quality control (Chapter 6) and to index and scale construction (chapter 7). A major audience for this book are the many computer science professionals whose systems are used by social scientists. Depicted here are the tasks that almost every social science computer user has ahead when he or she walks into the user-services department of the computer center. Not every such person knows exactly what is required to transform raw data into usable statistical summarizations. This book can help the computer scientists understand what it is that most social science computer users seek to accomplish.