Designing a Research Database Management System (From Treatment for Drug-Exposed Women and Their Children: Advances in Research Methodology, P 254-271, 1996, Elizabeth R Rahdert, ed. - - See NCJ-163710)

• NCJ Number: 163726
• Author(s): K S Dawson; S H Schnoll
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC. NIDA Research Monograph Series 165

Annotation

Data from more than 45,000 forms were entered over the course of this 5-year study to develop a data management system based on a relational database structure for a drug treatment program.

Abstract

More than 60 data collection forms were designed, and some forms were collected at multiple time points in order to monitor a subject's progress through the drug treatment program. A research protocol was devised to formally describe testing instruments and data collection forms, with time points defined at which forms were to be collected. Data validation was accomplished at several levels; the system checked for data entry errors on an item-by-item basis and also jointly guaranteed the validity of several items. Security protections were implemented to ensure only authorized personnel had access to data. The relational database structure of the data management system allowed data to be viewed logically in tables of information. In general, a table was designed to correspond to each form. Various guidelines considered in the design and implementation of the data management system are discussed that focus on data entry forms, database tables and forms, documentation, and security. 8 references and 8 figures