KPSIAJ Data Analysis

In today’s world data analysis and data modeling holds an enormous significance, lot of work is been done on data collection, globally, through various techniques and is used in different research and analysis projects. We all are aware with the importance of “Quality Data” and the rule of GIGB (garbage in, garbage out), someone can ask the difference between data and quality data, the data is called a quality data “if they are fit for their intended uses in operations, decision making and planning".

In light of this definition of quality data, we will discuss the importance of data management and analysis inside khoja jamaat and khoja community. In my opinion, khoja jamaat has worked a lot on “Data collection” during past few years but after data collection I found some lacking in making this data a quality data (read the definition again). Before proceeding further I want to discuss types of information in context to our Khoja Jamaat.

1. One time information which will not change ever

a. Membership Number
b. Name, Father Name, Surname (Mostly not changed)
c. Date of Birth

2. Information which are updated on certain time and is mandatory to provide it to KPSIAJ and remains unchanged afterwards.

a. Date of Nikah
b. Bride and her family details
c. Date of death

3. Information which are updated regularly and there is no good way today KPSIAJ can collect these details unless a person provides it by own or any special arrangements are made to collect it.

a. Qualification
b. Occupation
c. Country of residence
d. Children
e. Additional Qualities
f. Etc.

With a membership database of just (+ -) 10,000 people of Khoja (Pirhai) Shia Isna Asheri Jamaat we haven’t seen any statistical data management by our jamaat ever. In my opinion jamaat should at least start data analysis on macro level and with maturity in process they can go in micro details.

What if our jamaat had details of all khoja family members of Karachi, let’s look at some good and practical examples in that case. Currently when jamaat announces any activity program like summer camp, picnic, seminar, workshop etc. the decision is on basis of wild guess, a broad range of audience is focused without any prior analysis, what if they had something like following printout in their hands.

Example 1:

Age 2yrs - 5yrs (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Age 5yrs - 10yrs (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Age 10yrs - 20yrs (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Age 20yrs - 35yrs (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Age 35yrs - 50yrs (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Age greater than 50yrs (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)

Wasn’t it been easy for them to decide which audience or age group to focus for which kind of activity? If you think out of the box, from this one matrix many different results can be extracted like possible matriculates this year, expected marriages this year or gender ratio in khoja community etc.

If any of you have ever seen different forms of khoja jamaat which you have to fill for membership, nikah, divorce, death etc. it has the sufficient information for different statistical analysis, we can go through few more examples.

Example 2:

I am a member of KPSIAJ with a membership ID xxx, my daughter is married to Mr. ABC with a membership ID yyy, both information is mentioned in different forms, will it not be good if they have relation between xxx and yyy. As every nikah has to be registered in KPSIAJ, imagine with this one relation what can be achieved.

Example 3:

If today jamaat is asked to provide the information of doctors, engineers, accountants etc. in our community, they will not be able to provide it. Isn’t this information useful in many aspects?

Example 4:

Ratio of registered member of KPSIAJ Karachi, living in different countries can be helpful for international campaigns.

Example 5:

Some educational matrix can grab attention of local and international organizations for betterment of khoja youth. See the below matrix, will it not be useful information of education trend in khoja community.

Under Matriculate (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Matriculate (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Intermediate (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Graduate (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Masters (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)
Phd (Total Male: xxx Total Female yyy)

There can be many examples of such kind. Thus what I want to prove is although we are from same community; we lack the concept of social networking on official platform. May be there are some independent organization/group who are working for it but it would be very good if we have some initial level statistics of our community people.

The most difficult part in implementing this process is the data collection phase. From types of information, category 1 and 2 is already achieved by khoja jamaat, in these categories they have to work on the quality and management of data but the category 3 is still far away from their reach. Another issue in category 3 is that this information is not static and is changed frequently so one time collection of data will not work in long term, there should be some ongoing process so the outdated data can be purged continuously.

There can be several possible solutions for this exercise.

1. Online Updates

Although ratio of internet users are growing day by day but still there are majority of people in khoja community who do not have access to internet, for those people we can sort out some different data collection technique but for people having internet facility, there can be a web based portal where people can update their information. Imagine the strength of this database as this can be accessed by local and international community members.

2. For people without internet access, there are several manual ways.

a. Every 3 years at the time of election, there can be separate desks where information can be gathered.

b. Many community students are studying under Fatimiyah network that can cover certain percentage.

c. Women wings arranges different programs like summer camp, yearly picnic, seminars etc. around 150-200 families can be accessible by this means.

d. Stalls can be placed in different Ramzan and Muharram programs.

Last but not least, when Khoja Jamaat have sufficient information about different families, they can work on many projects for betterment of community, today if some donation is sent for “MUSTAHIQ” people of khoja community, I don’t think jamaat has some pre-defined or pre-collected data which can justify the word “MUSTAHIQ”, decisions are made on “as and when needed” basic and people who are real “MUSTAHIQ” for that aid are not identified as they are “Out of site and thus out of mind”.

Once the concept is introduced it can expand a lot and can be helpful in many ways.

What you think?