RU2024921C1 - Device for the input and approximate analysis of the sociological information - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sociological investigations. SUBSTANCE: effect is achieved by the automatization of the input and data processing in the form of memory unit addresses corresponding to the numbers of the questionnaire items chosen by respondents and the accumulation at these addresses of the figures reflecting the number of the alike answers to all the questionnaire items in several files of the respondent questionnaires with set social characteristics. The device represents itself a portable instrument or a specialized microcalculator for a sociologist allowing in a number of cases to do without an electronic computer when obtaining results in the course of inquiry. The device has information input unit 6, address former 10, indicator 15, memory unit 11, number former 14, counter 17. EFFECT: simplification and enhanced efficiency of the input and approximate analysis of the sociological information. 2 cl, 2 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to sociological research, the study of public opinion and socio-psychological research, the composition and principle of operation of the device can be attributed to computing.

 A known method of rapid analysis of sociological information and a device for its implementation. According to this method, sociological information is represented by an array of questionnaires to be processed with so-called closed questions, such as those for which there are several ready-made numbered answers. These numbers are called questionnaire item numbers. Any of them may or may not be selected by the respondent (the interviewee is the subject of a questionnaire). The task of processing the questionnaires is to determine the number of identical answers for each position of the questionnaire with the subsequent calculation of the percentage distribution of the answers received. A device for solving this problem is usually a computer, incl. personal (PC). For this, the numbers of the questionnaire positions selected by the respondent are entered into a computer memory (memory) and then processed according to a specific algorithm.

 The disadvantages of this method and device are the relative complexity, high cost and low efficiency of processing and analysis of sociological information, since after the survey the entire array of questionnaires must be collected and delivered from the survey areas to computers, which then perform the necessary input, editing, processing, analysis procedures data. This makes the process of conducting sociological research an expensive and difficult event and therefore it is currently considered inconceivable without a computer, including when studying public time, when in a short time it is often necessary to interview several hundred or thousands of respondents and get results.

 The aim of the invention is the automation of input, processing and analysis of sociological information and the creation of a portable (pocket) microcalculator for a sociologist. This goal is achieved by a certain indexing of the questionnaire positions and the corresponding addressing of a special memory, in the cells of which, during a given sequence of operator actions, numbers are accumulated that reflect the distribution of respondents' answers across all questionnaire positions.

 Figure 1, 2 shows the proposed device, where indicated respectively: 1 - the storage medium in the form of a questionnaire; 2 - profile page; 3 - text of questionnaire questions; 4 - lines of answers to questionnaire questions; 5 - numbers of answers to questionnaire questions (questionnaire position numbers); 6 - information input unit located on the front panel of the device; 7 - sensors of the position number of the questionnaire; 8 - sensor page number profiles; 9 - keypad numbers of the questionnaire array; 10 - shaper address BP; 11 - memory unit (PSU); 12 - address part of the PSU; 13 - the numerical part of the BP; 14 - shaper of the number of BP; 15 - digital indicator; 16 - profile number sensor; 17 is a counter.

 Figure 2 is additionally indicated: 18 - encoder of the position number of the questionnaire; 19 - register "X" the number of the position of the questionnaire; 20 - receiving gates of the register of the position number of the questionnaire; 21 - element OR; 22 - pulse shaper; 23 - control unit; 24 - key; 25 - number counter; 26 - receiving valves of the number counter; 27 - receiving valves of the number of BP; 28 - keyboard for manual setting of addresses "X" and "Y"; 29 - keyboard control key manual address setting; 30 - counter "Y" page number; 31 - receiving valves counter page number; 32 - bits indicate the number of processed profiles; 33 - bits indicate the address of the PSU; 34 - bits indicate the number of PSUs.

 Information carrier 1 is executed in the form of a questionnaire consisting of several numbered pages 2. On each page, place: the text of questionnaire 3 on the left, opposite to it on the right in the middle column are the lines of possible answers 4 to this question, and in the right column on the same line - the position number of the questionnaire 5. On all pages of the questionnaire, if possible, unify the arrangement of numbers and positions 5, i.e. place them in approximately the same places. Position numbers 5 on all numbered pages 2 begin with one and therefore coincide: for position numbers N1, N2, N3, etc. each page has one and the same place, and this place has the same number on each page.

 Therefore, it was possible to place on the front panel of the device in the information input unit 6 sensors 7 of the questionnaire position numbers opposite the corresponding numbers 5, repeated on each page 2. During processing of the next questionnaire, those sensors 7 whose numbers are selected by the respondent on her page 2 are affected. the composition of input block 6 includes two sensors (8, 16), two keyboards (9, 28), a group of sensors (7) and a control key (29).

 After processing one page, it is turned over by acting on the sensor of page number 8. Using the signals from sensors 7 and 8 and the keyboard 9, the address of the PSU cell is generated corresponding to number 5 of this position of the questionnaire. A number is read from the BP at this address, reflecting the number of identical answers for this position of the questionnaire. A unit is added to this number on the shaper 14, after which a new number from the output of the shaper 14 is recorded in the power supply unit at the same address.

 After processing all the pages 2 of one questionnaire 1 act on the sensor number of the questionnaire 16 and thereby form the number of the questionnaire through the counter 17, which will be processed next.

 Usually several arrays of questionnaires are subject to processing, which differ from each other by the given social ("passport") data of the respondents, such as social origin, education, gender, etc. After processing all the profiles in one such array on the keyboard 9 set the number of the next array and proceed to its processing. In BP, several, according to the number of arrays, zones are organized similar to addressable cells, in which the results of processing questionnaires from various arrays are accumulated.

 Thus, the BP cell address is formed of three words: position number on the questionnaire page, page number and questionnaire array number. All three words of the address of the PSU cell in operation, the number contained in it and the number of the processed questionnaire are controlled by a digital indicator 15.

 The composition and operation of the device. The numerical outputs of the numerical part 13 of the memory block 11 are connected to the receiving valves 26 of the counter of the number 25, and through it to the numerical inputs 27 of the memory block 11. One part of the bits of the address 12 of the memory block is connected through the register 19 and the encoder 18 to the sensors of the position number 7, the other part of the address bits through the page number counter 30 is connected to the page number sensor 8, and the third part of the address bits of the PSU is connected directly to the keypad of the questionnaire array number 9.

 The outputs of the sensors of the numbers of the positions in questionnaire 7 are combined by an OR 21 element and through a pulse former 22 are connected to the input of the control unit 23, connected by their outputs to the control inputs “Record” - “Reading” and the receiving valves of the number 27 of the memory block 11, the zeroing input and the counter counter input 25, as well as with the input of resetting the register 19, and the output of the control unit 23 is connected to the counting input of the counter 25 through the key 24.

 The sensor number of the questionnaire 16 is connected to the input of zeroing the counter of the page number 30 and the counting input of the counter 17 of the shaper of the questionnaire number.

 The outputs of the register 19, counters 17, 30 and 25 are connected to the inputs 32, 33, 34 of the corresponding bits of the digital indicator 15.

 The keyboard for manually setting the address 28 is connected to the digital inputs 32, 33, 34 of the corresponding bits of the digital indicator 15.

 The keyboard for manually setting the address 28 is connected to the numerical inputs of the receiving gates 20 of the register 19 and the receiving gates 31 of the counter 30, and the control key of the keyboard 29 is connected to the control inputs of these gates.

 Consider the operation of the device (figure 2).

 Processing of questionnaires is carried out sequentially one after another. Therefore, if there is a response from the respondent for this position, you need to call up the contents of the corresponding BP cell, add one to it and place it again in the same cell. Thus, in BP cells during the processing of the entire questionnaire array, numbers are accumulated that reflect the number of identical answers for all positions of the questionnaire.

 To accomplish this task, the power supply unit is supplied not with a number register, as usual, but with a number counter 25 with receiving valves 26. Through them, a number is received from the power supply unit to which a unit is added to the counter. The result is recorded in the same cell BP.

 The address of each PSU cell is the number of the questionnaire position. The address is formed by sensors 7, 8, keyboard 9 and the associated functional elements. When processing the questionnaire, the operator acts on that sensor 7, the number of which coincides with the position number marked by the respondent on the questionnaire page located next to the sensor.

 This number is converted by the encoder 18 into a binary code, which is stored on the register 19. The outputs of the register are connected to a part of the bits of the address 12 of the PSU 11. Thus, the first part “X” of the PSU address is formed.

 The second part "Y" of the BP address is formed by the page number counter 30. The counter outputs are connected to another part of the BP address 12. The number on this counter is increased by one each time the operator, turning the page of the questionnaire, clicks on sensor 8.

 The third part of the BP address is formed by the keypad 9 of the questionnaire array number. Thus, the address of the PSU consists of three words - "X", "Y" and "Z". At this address, a number is stored in the BP that reflects the number of respondents' responses to this questionnaire position. The appeal to BP at the generated address is as follows.

 Sensors 7, 8 and 16 can be made in the form of push buttons without fixing the position - in the form of sensory, optical sensors or any others, when touched for a short time, an electric signal is generated from the moment they are touched.

 When the operator clicks on any of the sensors 7 from the output of the element OR 21 is removed and fed to the input of the pulse shaper 22 a signal that triggers it. As a result, a single pulse is generated, which is input to the control unit 23, made, for example, in the form of delay lines. At its outputs, pulses successively appear in time that control the access to the BP and the conversion of the number obtained from it. This transformation, as indicated, boils down to adding one to a given number.

 The sequence in time of the control signals from the control unit 23 and its actions is as follows.

 - The signal to reset the counter to 25 is necessary to clear the counter from the previous code.

 - The “Read” signal, sets the PSU 11 to work in the read mode at the generated address, as a result of which the number is read from the PSU cell at this address and is sent to the PSU's numerical outputs.

 - The signal of receiving the code by the receiving valves 26 of the counter of the number 25, provides the memorization on the counter of the number read from the power supply.

 - The signal of adding a unit to the contents of the counter of the number 25 is fed to the input of the counter through a normally-closed key 24.

 - The “Record” signal, sets up the BP 11 to work in the recording mode at the previously generated address stored on the BP address buses.

 - The signal of receiving the code by the receiving valves of the number 27 of the numerical part 13 of the power supply unit 11, provides for recording at the same address a new (increased by one) number from the outputs of the counter of the number 25.

 - The signal to reset the address register 19 to prepare it to receive a new code in the next cycle of work.

 So one cycle of the device’s operation is organized, during which the sensors 7, 8 and keyboard 9 set the address of the power supply unit, and block 10, which includes elements 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 31, forms the address BP as described above. At this address, a number is read from the BP, a unit is added to it, and a new number is written to the BP at the same address.

 The described cycles of the proposed device are repeated with each new press by the operator of the sensor 7, sequentially in ascending order of their numbers. In the process of processing one page of the questionnaire, the word "Y" of the address is stored continuously, while the word "X" changes (increases) each time the operator presses the next sensor 7. The word "Z" remains constant all the time while processing one array of profiles.

 When all the questionnaire positions marked on this page are worked out in this way, the operator opens a new page and clicks on the page number sensor 8. On the counter 30, the word "Y" is incremented by one and with this code value all the words "X" addresses are formed during processing a new page of the questionnaire.

 Thus, the described cycles of operation are repeated many times. As a result of processing one questionnaire, units are added to the numbers in those BP cells whose addresses correspond to the positions of the questionnaire marked by the respondent.

 After processing one questionnaire, the operator places the next questionnaire as the information carrier 1 and presses the sensor number sensor 16, made, for example, in the form of a key. In this case, a unit is added to the contents of the counter of the questionnaire number 17 and the page number counter 30 is reset to zero, which is necessary to repeat the described process of the device with the next questionnaire.

 After processing one array of questionnaires, the BP cells accumulate numbers reflecting the number of respondents' identical answers for all positions of the questionnaire.

 On the digital indicator 15, a portion of the digits 32 is highlighted to reflect the number of the worked out questionnaire (the number of processed profiles), a portion of the digits 33 to display the current address of the PSU, consisting of three words, “X”, “Y” and “Z”, as well as a portion of the digits 34 to display the number read from the BP at a given address, i.e., the number of identical answers of all respondents surveyed for a particular questionnaire position.

 The keyboard for manually setting the address (manual setting of addresses "X" and "Y") allows you to manually dial any values of the words "X" and "Y" and transfer them respectively to the position number register 19 and page number counter 30 through their receiving valves 20 and 31 , - by pressing the control key 29. This provides the opportunity, if necessary, to go to any position of the questionnaire.

 In the practice of sociological research, it is often necessary to form and process separately - for subsequent comparative analysis - several arrays of questionnaires that differ in various combinations of social features of their respective respondents. To solve this problem in the proposed device, the entire volume of BP is divided into several parts or zones, according to the number of allocated questionnaire arrays. The selection of each of these arrays is carried out using the keyboard to specify the number of array 9, connected to the third part of the "Z" bits of address 12 BP 11.

 The proposed device can operate in two modes - "write" and "read". In the “recording” mode described above, sociological information is entered into it, which is classified by the positions of the questionnaire and by arrays. In the “reading” mode, the obtained distributions are analyzed. To do this, it is enough with key 24 to turn off the signal of adding the unit to the counter of the number 25. After that, you can work as described in the "record" mode using the sensors 7 and 8 and the keyboard 9. In this case, the information in the power supply is stored regardless of the number of calls to it via to any address. The processing results are viewed on a digital display without additional circuit solutions. To do this, just set any number of the selected position - in the form of a BP address - and read the corresponding number on the digital indicator.

 We give approximate calculated ratios for the device. Suppose you have developed a questionnaire with 250 (minimum option) or 500 (maximum option) positions. During the processing, it is planned to allocate 4 or 8 arrays of profiles - respectively. The total number of questionnaires to be processed does not exceed 999 or 9999, which corresponds to the size of the practiced samples.

 Then the capacity of the memory can be 1024 or 4096 numbers, with the allocation of 4 or 8 zones for different arrays of profiles, 255 or 511 positions in each profile. The capacity of the memory - 3 or 4 decimal places - for processing 999 or 9999 profiles. The implementation of such a memory is possible on the basis of 3 or 4 integrated circuits of 4x1024 or 4x4096 bits in each circuit.

 A number counter can also have 3 or 4 decimal places, and can be implemented on 3 or 4 integrated circuits of 4 bits each.

 The address of the position of the questionnaire can have 10 or 12 digits, incl. parts of the address "X" and "Y" - 4 or 5 digits. This means that on one page of the information carrier there are up to 16 or up to 32 positions, and the number of pages can also be up to 16 or up to 32. Then the number of position number sensors can be 16 or 32. The manual address setting keypad must have 8 or 10 keys , and the keyboard of the questionnaire array number is 2 or 4 keys.

 The digital indicator must have 4 decimal places to display the address and 3 or 4 digits to indicate the number of memory and the number of processed profiles.

 From the data reviewed it follows that the proposed device can be manufactured on the basis of existing integrated circuits. Moreover, it can be made compact, in the form of a pocket microcalculator, or a portable portable device.

 The device allows you to automate the input functions, primary processing and analysis of sociological information, the results of the study of public opinion, socio-psychological research. Work with the device is simple, easier than manipulating when entering sociological information into computers, because no need to read and then dial numbers (for which they usually dial 3 numeric and 1 execution key) - just click on one button opposite the marked position. The operation is simplified by 4 times, in addition, there is no need for a start button.

 The proposed solution allows you to do without a computer, which achieves a significant economic effect - by saving machine time and increasing the efficiency of data processing.

Claims (3)

 1. DEVICE FOR INPUT AND EXPRESS ANALYSIS OF SOCIOLOGICAL INFORMATION, containing an information input unit, an encoder, a memory unit, an indication unit, a register, a control unit, the first and second counters, the outputs of the first group of the information unit connected to the inputs of the encoder, the outputs of the memory unit connected with the information inputs of the first counter, the second and fifth outputs of the control unit are connected respectively to the read input and the second recording input of the memory unit, characterized in that a third counter, an OR element, a key are inserted into the device, a pulse shaper, wherein the outputs of the first group of the information input unit are connected to the inputs of the OR element, the output of which is connected to the input of the pulse shaper, the output of which is connected to the input of the control unit, the outputs of the encoder are connected to the information inputs of the register, the first and third outputs of the control unit are connected respectively to the inputs reset and record the first counter, and the fourth output through the key is connected to the counting input of the first counter, the outputs of which are connected to the information inputs of the memory unit, the sixth the output of the control unit is connected to the first recording input of the memory unit, and the seventh output is connected to the register reset input, the first output of the information input unit is connected to the counting input of the second counter, and the second output to the counting input of the third counter and the reset input of the second counter, register outputs, the first, second and third counters are connected to the inputs of the display unit, the outputs of the second group of the information input unit, the outputs of the register and the second counter are connected to the address inputs of the memory unit.  2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outputs of the third group of the information input unit are connected to the information inputs of the second counter and additional information inputs of the register, and the third output of the information input unit is connected to the inputs of the register entry and the second counter.  3. The device according to paragraphs. 1 and 2, characterized in that the information input unit contains a group of sensors, first and second keyboards, first, second sensors, a control key whose output is the third output of the unit, the outputs of the sensors of the group are outputs of the first group of the unit, the outputs of the first keyboard are outputs of the second block groups, the outputs of the second keyboard are the outputs of the third group of the block, the output of the first sensor is the first output of the block, the output of the second sensor is the second output of the block.

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