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TESCAN Reading Raw Data

You can code information on Scantron forms, have Scantron read the information into a file on a formatted floppy disk, and then upload the floppy file to UCS to analyze the data. You can analyze the data using SAS or SPSS.

If the computer is turned on and the monitor is blank, press the key to refresh the screen. If the computer is turned off, press the green power on button on the computer case. The monitor should be on. Wait for the Welcome to TESCAN message to appear on the screen:

Welcome to TESCAN, a UL-Lafayette program used for test scoring and analysis of Scantron(TM) data. TESCAN is supported by University Computing Support Services; for assistance contact our HelpDesk at 482-4357 or see http://www.louisiana.edu/InfoTech/UCSS/Docs/tescan.html
Choose one of these options:
(a) score only
(b) score and report
(c) report only
(?) to explain the differences between options a-c
(h) to HALT, then POWER OFF, this computer
(q) to quit, then restart, this program
:
Type e (for Extra Utilities) and press . Always press enter after you issue a command.

Program the Scantron machine

You then see the following message:

  1. Reset the Scantron machine: turn it OFF (if necessary), then turn it ON while holding down the blue button, until the yellow LED begins to blink.
  2. Release the blue button.
  3. Press Enter on the keyboard (or type q to quit program).

The Scantron machine power on button is in the lower back right corner. Follow the instructions for resetting the Scantron machine. After you press you will see the following:
Configuring Scantron Machine......Please wait....This will take about 20 seconds

Mount floppy

You will then see the following menu:
Extra Utilities: Choose one:
(a) scan
(b) scan_raw
(c) scan_2_cols
(d) scan_and_decompress
(e) decompress_scan_data
(f) demand_decompress
(g) seiscan
(m) to MOUNT a floppy disk
(u) to UNMOUNT a floppy disk
(Q) to quit
:
Insert the formatted floppy disk into the disk drive and press m.

The computer lists any files on the floppy and then you will see the following menu:
Extra Utilities: Choose one:
(a) scan
(b) scan_raw
(c) scan_2_cols
(d) scan_and_decompress
(e) decompress_scan_data
(f) demand_decompress
(g) seiscan
(m) to MOUNT a floppy disk
(u) to UNMOUNT a floppy disk
(Q) to quit
:
Type a.
Please enter a filename in which the data will be stored:
The filename must start with /floppy/filename. Enter a filename such as /floppy/survey.dat
Scan forms

You will hear a beep and see the following message:
insert student answer sheet

You scan the form and the computer responds:
good sheet!
insert student answer sheet

There is no error checking, all sheets scan as good sheet!

When finished scanning sheets, press the blue button on the Scantron machine. You will see the following:
END OF INPUT!
xx records were written to filename
Are there any more forms?:

If you respond y, you will enter the filename and then scan the forms as above. If you respond n, you will see the Extra utilities menu:
Extra Utilities: Choose one:
(a) scan
(b) scan_raw
(c) scan_2_cols
(d) scan_and_decompress
(e) decompress_scan_data
(f) demand_decompress
(g) seiscan
(m) to MOUNT a floppy disk
(u) to UNMOUNT a floppy disk
(Q) to quit
:

Unmount floppy

Type u to unmount the floppy disk.

You will see:
NOW SAFE TO EJECT FLOPPY DISK:

Eject the floppy disk.
Quit and power off equipment

You will also see:
Extra Utilities: Choose one:
(a) scan
(b) scan_raw
(c) scan_2_cols
(d) scan_and_decompress
(e) decompress_scan_data
(f) demand_decompress
(g) seiscan
(m) to MOUNT a floppy disk
(u) to UNMOUNT a floppy disk
(Q) to quit
:
Press Q and then you will see:
Welcome to TESCAN, a UL-Lafayette program used for test scoring
and analysis of Scantron(TM) data. TESCAN is supported by
University Computing Support Services; for assistance contact our HelpDesk
at 482-4357 or see http://www.louisiana.edu/InfoTech/UCSS/Docs/tescan.html
Choose one of these options:
(a) score only
(b) score and report
(c) report only
(?) to explain the differences between options a-c
(h) to HALT, then POWER OFF, this computer
(q) to quit, then restart, this program
:
Press h and also turn off the Scantron machine.
Note: During periods of high usage (midterms, finals), you can leave the computer powered on.

Reading Raw Data - Common Problems

There is no error checking when data is read. Therefore the forms should be as 'clean' as possible:

  • No stray marks
  • Number 2 pencil only (no markers or ink pens)
  • Any erasures must be complete
  • The first step in analyzing the data should be checking for valid responses (i.e. if survey responses are 1 to 4 then accept as valid only 1, 2, 3, or 4). Blanks will be coded as 'b'; therefore you should have a way of indicating that a b is a missing value.