Charles Darwin University

CDU eSpace
Institutional Repository

 
CDU Staff and Student only
 

Replacing paper data collection forms with electronic data entry in the field: findings from a study of community-acquired bloodstream infections in Pemba Zanzibar

Thriemer, Kamala, Ley, Benedikt, Ame, Shaali M., Puri, Mahesh K., Hashim, Ramadhan, Chang, Na Yoon, Salim, Luluwa A., Ochiai, Leon R., Wierzba, Thomas F., Clemens, John D, von Seidlein, Lorenz, Deen, Jacqueline L., Ali, Said M. and Ali, Mohammad (2012). Replacing paper data collection forms with electronic data entry in the field: findings from a study of community-acquired bloodstream infections in Pemba Zanzibar. BMC Research Notes,5(113):1-7.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Altmetric Score Altmetric Score is 3
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Attached Files (Some files may be inaccessible until you login with your CDU eSpace credentials)
Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads
Download this reading vonSeidlein_38339.pdf Published version application/pdf 765.30KB 211
Reading the attached file works best in Firefox, Chrome and IE 9 or later.

IRMA ID bsmithxPUB81
Title Replacing paper data collection forms with electronic data entry in the field: findings from a study of community-acquired bloodstream infections in Pemba Zanzibar
Author Thriemer, Kamala
Ley, Benedikt
Ame, Shaali M.
Puri, Mahesh K.
Hashim, Ramadhan
Chang, Na Yoon
Salim, Luluwa A.
Ochiai, Leon R.
Wierzba, Thomas F.
Clemens, John D
von Seidlein, Lorenz
Deen, Jacqueline L.
Ali, Said M.
Ali, Mohammad
Journal Name BMC Research Notes
Publication Date 2012
Volume Number 5
Issue Number 113
ISSN 1756-0500   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-84857134742
Start Page 1
End Page 7
Total Pages 6
Place of Publication United Kingdom
Publisher BioMed Central Ltd.
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract Background
Entering data on case report forms and subsequently digitizing them in electronic media is the traditional way to maintain a record keeping system in field studies. Direct data entry using an electronic device avoids this two-step process. It is gaining in popularity and has replaced the paper-based data entry system in many studies. We report our experiences with paper- and PDA-based data collection during a fever surveillance study in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Methods
Data were collected on a 14-page case report paper form in the first period of the study. The case report paper forms were then replaced with handheld computers (personal digital assistants or PDAs). The PDAs were used for screening and clinical data collection, including a rapid assessment of patient eligibility, real time errors, and inconsistency checking.

Results
A comparison of paper-based data collection with PDA data collection showed that direct data entry via PDA was faster and 25% cheaper. Data was more accurate (7% versus 1% erroneous data) and omission did not occur with electronic data collection. Delayed data turnaround times and late error detections in the paper-based system which made error corrections difficult were avoided using electronic data collection.

Conclusions
Electronic data collection offers direct data entry at the initial point of contact. It has numerous advantages and has the potential to replace paper-based data collection in the field. The availability of information and communication technologies for direct data transfer has the potential to improve the conduct of public health research in resource-poor settings.
Keywords Bacteraemia
Handheld computers
Personal digital assistants
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-113   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)


© copyright

Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for items included in CDU eSpace. If you believe that your rights have been infringed by this repository, please contact digitisation@cdu.edu.au.

 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Access Statistics: 192 Abstract Views, 211 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Fri, 17 Jan 2014, 01:28:55 CST