Novel electronic approaches to data collection and research management

Maintaining data integrity is critical to public health research, yet collecting data in the field can be complicated and overwhelming. This session will identify novel electronic data capture tools that significantly reduce errors in data collection and research management. We will explore new approaches to data management and innovative data collection techniques that will help researchers avoid obstacles when recruiting, screening, and enrolling participants in a longitudinal randomized controlled trial. For recruitment and screening, we employ an online  software accessed on a mobile device in an outpatient setting. We have reduced the risk of data loss and data entry errors by enrolling participants using a mobile device and software designed for mobile devices. We manage our research inventory on-site and reduce data entry errors by using barcode scanning. This session will demonstrate how researchers can reduce attrition by utilizing a combination of software to automate communication with the participant. To keep participants engaged and informed, we use texting, an internal listserv and social media including YouTube and Facebook. Internal communication is also vital to keep the research team connected and focused. An online document sharing workspace is used to discuss problem-solving strategies, share protocol updates, and promote workload efficiency. Public health researchers will gain insight on best practices for collecting, managing, and ensuring integrity of the data using novel electronic data capture tools and methods. 

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Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate novel electronic data collection methods used to maintain data integrity Discuss automated techniques to reduce attrition in longitudinal research Identify innovative communication systems that keep the research team connected

Keyword(s): Data Collection and Surveillance, Health Promotion and Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over seven years experience as the Data Manager for a large research team. The focus of our research is health policy and health promotion related to tobacco control and radon. I have extensive knowledge with a variety of technology related to data collection and data management.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4134.0: Electronic Record, Data Collection, Research, and Clinical Reporting