Interactive data collection: benefits of integrating new media into pediatric research

Despite the prevalence of children's computerized games for recreational and educational purposes, the use of interactive technology to obtain pediatric research data remains underexplored. This article describes the development of laptop interactive data collection (IDC) software for a children's health intervention study. The IDC integrates computer technology, children's developmental needs, and quantitative research methods that are engaging for school-age children as well as reliable and efficient for the pediatric health researcher. Using this methodology, researchers can address common problems such as maintaining a child's attention throughout an assessment session while potentially increasing their response rate and reducing missing data rates. The IDC also promises to produce more reliable data by eliminating the need for manual double entry of data and reducing much of the time and costs associated with data cleaning and management. Development and design considerations and recommendations for further use are discussed.