Reducing errors from the electronic transcription of data collected on paper forms: a research data case study.

We conducted a reliability study comparing single data entry (SE) into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to entry using the existing forms (EF) feature of the Teleforms software system, in which optical character recognition is used to capture data off of paper forms designed in non-Teleforms software programs. We compared the transcription of data from multiple paper forms from over 100 research participants representing almost 20,000 data entry fields. Error rates for SE were significantly lower than those for EF, so we chose SE for data entry in our study. Data transcription strategies from paper to electronic format should be chosen based on evidence from formal evaluations, and their design should be contemplated during the paper forms development stage.

Overcoming diverse security protocols across institutions to enable convenient file-sharing and videoconferencing among collaborators.

The use of videoconferencing and file sharing tools among colleagues at large institutions has traditionally been confounded by differing security policies in place at each location. Building an electronic collaboration infrastructure based upon the lowest-common-denominator security configuration expected to be encountered will yield an accessible collaboration environment previously unavailable to geographically diverse researchers and clinicians.