How we code the data

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Data for each case have been received by UFOlogy Research from participating researchers across Canada. In addition, existing databases, web pages, social media and other online sources of UFO sighting information are regularly searched for Canadian reports. 

The information is then coded by members of UFOlogy Research and entered into a Microsoft Excel database and statistically analysed.

An example of the coding key is as follows:

Field 1 is a default YEAR for the report

Field 2 is the MONTH of the incident

Field 3 is the DATE of the sighting

Field 4 is the local TIME, on the 24-hour clock

Field 5 is the geographical LOCATION of the incident

Field 6 is the PROVINCE where the sighting occurred

Field 7 is the TYPE of report, using the Modified Hynek Classification System

Field 8 is the DURATION of the sighting, in seconds (a value of 600 thus represents 10 minutes)

Field 9 is the primary COLOUR of the object(s) seen

Field 10 is the number of WITNESSES

Field 11 is the SHAPE of the object(s) seen

Field 12 is the STRANGENESS of the report

Field 13 is the RELIABILITY

Field 14 is the SOURCE of the report

Field 15 is the EVALUATION of the case

Field 16 includes any COMMENTS noted about the case