Presents data management techniques needed to implement a health research study in domestic and international settings. Discusses methods of designing and monitoring patient data flow, with an emphasis on data collection, editing, documentation, management, and preparation for analysis using database software packages. Involves lectures and completion of a tutorial designed to build data management skills. Geared to students preparing to undertake research.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Design a data monitoring/tracking system for a research study;
• Develop a coding guide for a data collection instrument;
• Edit collected data and document edit decisions;
• Design a double data entry system;
• Design a system to identify out-of-range and illogical values, document the related edit decisions, and produce a cleaned data table in preparation for analysis;
• Prepare administrative reports;
• Prep data for analysis;
• Evaluate an operations manual for a research study;
• Evaluate questionnaires for format, design, content, wording, coding, etc

The content of this course is divided into separate modules. In each module, you will find lectures and tutorial chapters (homework instructions). You will be emailed the necessary data or Access files to complete the homework. Each week, the lectures listed before the LiveTalk should be reviewed before the Wednesday LiveTalk session. Similarly, the homework listed before the LiveTalk should be begun before the Wednesday LiveTalk session.

Lectures

The lectures are presented sequentially and should be completed in order. Each lecture combines an audio presentation synchronized with lecture slides. You may return to any previous lecture at any point and review its contents at your convenience. In each lecture, you will find the specific lecture objectives, links to lecture sections, a list of materials associated with the lecture, and lecture handouts. Ideally, the lectures and the week’s tutorial chapters should be listened to or begun, respectively, prior to the Wednesday LiveTalk session.

Homework Assignments

Because this is primarily a skills course, the bulk of learning will take place when you complete the tutorial assignments. Each assignment is designed to apply the concepts, principles, and methods covered in the lecture sections. The following section describes the types of homework assignments that you will complete in this course:

• Create a data entry screen, enter data, and verify data
• Write computer code to identify possible errors in data files
• Edit questionnaires
• Write computer code to clean data files

The due date for each assignment is listed in the course schedule. Because the homework is cumulative, it is essential that you submit each assignment by the due date. You may, of course, submit an assignment before the due date. Upload your homework assignments to the corresponding Dropbox available under the Course Resources link.

Tutorials

Collaboration and Interaction

Most of the course materials will be available via the course’s Online Library or by email. Students are expected to have Word and Access (Microsoft Office software, 1999 version or higher) and either STATA or SPSS. Either Stata or SPSS statistical software will be needed for the last assignment. All other assignments use Access.

If you have problems or questions, contact the instructor (DM-HW@jhsph.edu) for assistance.

Questions/Clarifications about Homework Assignments If you have difficulty with a computer exercise, you should review the materials from the lectures and tutorial and try again. If you still have questions, you may email the question (and associated files) to DM-HW@jhsph.edu. Dr. Holt will respond within 24 hours (Monday–Friday) or, if needed, identify a time with you to interactively resolve the problem via the LiveTalk area. Questions/Clarifications about Substantive Issues Dr. Holt will conduct one LiveTalk each week. The LiveTalk is designed to answer substantive questions about lecture material and general questions about the homework assignments. The LiveTalk discussions will be archived for reference. Specific questions about the homework should be emailed to Dr. Holt. Faculty Contacts Elizabeth Holt, DrPH Phone: 410-502-0185 Email: DM-HW@jhsph.edu