Skip to main content

Data Collection, Database Development and Quality Control: Guidance for Clinical Research Studies

  • Chapter
Key Topics in Surgical Research and Methodology
  • 2825 Accesses

Abstract

Data collection is fundamental to any clinical surgical research study. Without collecting reliable and accurate data, it is impossible to draw meaningful conclusions regarding the research question of interest. This chapter aims to provide an overview of how to plan generic data collection and data storage, protocols, training and analysis that promote accurate and reliable data collection. Additionally, the fundamentals of database models and storage are covered to aid the novice researcher. A wealth of more detailed database design information and administration is available elsewhere for those who wish to pursue more complex designs. Throughout this chapter, we illustrate principles explained using clinically relevant examples.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Altman DG, Schulz KF, Moher D et al (2001) The revised CONSORT statement for reporting randomized trials: explanation and elaboration. Ann Intern Med 134:663–694

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Holbrook JT, Shade DM, Wise RA (2005) Data collection and quality controltranslational and experimental clinical research: principles of translational and experimental medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp. 136–151

    Google Scholar 

  3. Boissel JP (2004) Planning of clinical trials. J Intern Med 255:427–438

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cohen J (1989) Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences, 2nd edn. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hollis S, Campbell F (1999) What is meant by intention to treat analysis? Survey of published randomised controlled trials. BMJ 319:670–674

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. CONSORT (2008) CONSORT flow diagram. Available from http://www.consort-statement.org/index.aspx?o = 1077

  7. Anonymous (1991) North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial. Methods, patient characteristics, and progress. Stroke 22:711–720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Anonymous (1991) MRC European Carotid Surgery Trial: interim results for symptomatic patients with severe (70–99%) or with mild (0–29%) carotid stenosis. European Carotid Surgery Trialists' Collaborative Group. Lancet 337:1235–1243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Altman DG, Dore CJ (1990) Randomisation and baseline comparisons in clinical trials. Lancet 335:149–153

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Beller EM, Gebski V, Keech AC (2002) Randomisation in clinical trials. Med J Aust 177:565–567

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Viera AJ, Bangdiwala SI (2007) Eliminating bias in randomized controlled trials: importance of allocation concealment and masking. Fam Med 39:132–137

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kunz R, Vist G, Oxman AD (2007) Randomisation to protect against selection bias in healthcare trials. Cochrane Database Syst Rev MR000012

    Google Scholar 

  13. Department of Health (2005) Research governance framework for health and social care, 2nd edn. DoH, London. Available from http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4108962

  14. Holzenbein J, Kretschmer G, Glanzl R et al (1997) Endovascular AAA treatment: expensive prestige or economic alternative? Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 14:265–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Mulvhill DA, Gibson DW, Cole TG (2005) Translational and experimental clinical research: principles of transla-tional and experimental medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  16. Bachman C (1973) The programmer as navigator (ACM Turing Award lecture). Commun ACM 16:653–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Codd E (1982) Relational database: a practical foundation for productivity. Commun.ACM 25:109–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. United Kingdom Act_of Parliament (1998) Data Protection Act. Available from http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/Acts1998/ukpga_19980029_en_1

  19. O'Neill S, Ford R (2008) Thousands of criminal files lost in data fiasco In: The Times 22 August 2008. Available from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/arti-cle4583747.ece

Further Reading

  • A wealth of information on database design and development is available both online and from good book retailers. Readers may wish to look at the following information on Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL databases.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Gan I (2006) Microsoft SQL Server 2005: applied techniques step by step. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Gan I (2006) Microsoft SQL Server 2005: database essentials step by step. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Gan I, Kollar L, Sarka D (2006) Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2005: T-SQL querying. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Brust AJ, Forte S (2006). Programming Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • DeBetta P (2004) Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for developers. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Dow Lambert M, Lambert JPS (2007) Microsoft Office Access 2007 step by dtep. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Microsoft TechNet From http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sqlserver/default.aspx

  • MySQL AB (2006) MySQL administrator's guide and language reference, 2nd edn. MySQL Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Online Documentation From http://dev.mysql.com/doc/

  • Schneider RD (2005) MySQL database design and tuning. MySQL Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich Fuller L, Cook K, Kaufeld J (2006) Access 2007 for dummies. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Viescas J, Conrad (2008) Microsoft Office Access 2007 inside out. Microsoft Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Welling L, Thomson L (2003) MySQL tutorial. MySQL Press

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Leff, D.R., Lovegrove, R.E., Darzi, L.A., Athanasiou, T. (2010). Data Collection, Database Development and Quality Control: Guidance for Clinical Research Studies. In: Athanasiou, T., Debas, H., Darzi, A. (eds) Key Topics in Surgical Research and Methodology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71915-1_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71915-1_25

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-71914-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-71915-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics