Data Management

Database Design and Development

Database Design and Development - Database Management There are two critical aspects of database design: making data easy to enter in order to reduce keystroke errors, and making data easy to use.

We tailor our database design so that data entry is easy, efficient and less prone to errors. By creating databases with the front end of the process in mind, we help ensure that you get the data your research requires with minimal problems.

Once data are entered, our databases make your information easy to use. Our user interfaces make it simple to create charts, graphs, reports or Word documents. You will also find it easy to create programming and perform various calculations.

The Center for Research Support is experienced with Access, Excel, SAS and EPI Info. We also perform training in the use of these databases, so you can develop the expertise you need to analyze your data.

Online Data Collection Tools

Collection of data online is becoming far more common and effective. The Center for Research Support lets you put this powerful method to use for your research project.

Our in-house web services takes care of posting your survey online. Once survey results are in, we can process follow-up letters and emails, as needed.

Survey results are usually available rapidly. You can then access your survey data on a password-protected web site.

Database Maintenance

By engaging The Center for Research Support to maintain your database, you can help ensure the integrity of your data.

We can provide backup for your database to prevent corruption or loss of files. We also offer the latest data security to protect against problems from outside sources such as hackers.

Our system allows simultaneous access to data by two different teams, while ensuring ongoing data integrity. It also lets you give various users different privileges, allowing varying levels of access to your data.

Data Entry

The Center for Research Support gives you two options for your data entry: Having us do it, or providing you with the tools that make it easier to do it yourself.

By seamlessly linking survey design and database design, we are able to make data entry natural and intuitive. So whether it is carried out by your organization, or by ours, you can be more certain of data accuracy.

Our methods help to avoid the common problems that undermine the data entry process. Through small adjustments, we are able to help ensure that data entry happens correctly, on a consistent basis.

We are also able to provide training for those in your organization who will be responsible for data entry.

Data Cleaning and Validation

Data cleaning ensures that all data points are accurate. We use double data entry by different operators to verify that data is correct. When entries do not match, we go back to original survey data in order to make corrections.

Data validation confirms that data is reasonable and meaningful. Through the application of a number of rules, we make sure that all data points are useful for your research.

The Center for Research Support is able to develop data cleaning and validation procedures for use by our own organization or by yours.

Training

We not only design and create databases, we can train you to use them.

This help is often highly beneficial. Most investigators have a good understanding of survey design and analysis, but they may not have extensive training in the design and use of databases.

The Center for Research Support provides training in the use of the following database software: