The web reduces the limitations of distance, sometimes to nonexistence. Electronic data systems promise a single repository of research data available at the press of a button. Yet, researchers continue to use paper-based forms that are unique to each project they run. Web-based data systems seem to reduce these limitations, but raise a number of issues in their stead.
The proposed session will discuss issues of web access, data input validation, security, online summary reports, data analysis, and data longevity with a real-world application, the Research Computing Infrastructure (RCI). The RCI was developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to support the collection and maintenance of outcomes research data over the Web. Although specifically geared towards supporting outcomes research in health affairs, the system can easily adapt to other purposes. Attendees will learn the functioning of the system and be able to assess the utility of the web as a collection medium for survey data. They will understand the security issues for researchers, how to build online forms, the structure of the data, and how to export data for analysis. The presentation will include an online demonstration of the system (if possible).
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss the issues attendant to web-based data collection. 2. Understand the potential and limitations of online data systems. 3. Be able to assess the costs and benefits of a single, universal system to project-specific systems.
Keywords: Information Databases, Information Technology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Public Health
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.