Commonly used data-collection approaches in clinical research
Jane S Saczynski1, David D McManus, Robert J Goldberg
1Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.
The American Journal of Medicine
|September 21, 2013
Summary
This overview covers data collection methods for clinical, public health, and translational research. It guides researchers on using data from surveys, informants, medical records, and biologic samples for high-quality studies.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Research
- Public Health Research
- Translational Science
Background:
- Effective data collection is crucial for the success of clinical, public health, and translational research.
- Numerous data sources exist, each with unique considerations for researchers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of common data collection approaches in research.
- To highlight key factors researchers must consider when collecting data.
Main Methods:
- Review of common data collection strategies.
- Discussion of factors influencing data quality from various sources.
Main Results:
- Identified common methods include questionnaire surveys, proxy informants, medical record reviews, and biologic sample collection.
- Emphasized the importance of careful consideration of factors like data source and collection method.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to best practices in data collection can significantly improve the quality of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.
- This overview aims to facilitate the collection of rich, high-quality data in diverse research settings.
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