• Research
• Research and Academic Affairs
• Research by Department
• Clinical Trials and Research
• Core Facilities
• Biomedical Research Informatics Core
• Bernson Allen
• Cardiac Physiology Core
• Clinical Research Coordinator Core
• Confocal Imaging Core
• eData Collection Core
  • REDCap EDC
• Electron Microscopy (EM) Core
• Flow Cytometry Core
• Genomics Proteomics Core
• Histology Core
• InSIGHT Core
• Center for Basic MR Research
• Mass Spectrometry (Proteomics / Metabolomics) Core
• Molecular Medicine Core
• Multi Gene Transcriptional Profiling
• Preclinical Murine Pharmacogenetics Core
• REDCap EDC
• Research Glasswashing Core
• Small Animal Imaging Core
• Transgenic Core
• X-ray Crystallography Core
• Research Centers
• Clinical Investigator Training Program
• Laboratories
• Research Highlights
• Feature Stories
• The Voices of BIDMC Research

eData Collection Core

Core Summary

The Research Electronic Data Collection Core can help you capture research data by supporting all aspects of data acquisition, storage and retrieval. The core is designed to significantly improve the efficiency, cost structure and overall quality of research data collection.

Facilities/Tools

The Data Collection Core uses Cardiff's TELEform and Liquid Office which are data form automation tools used to create paper-based, Adobe PDF or HTML (web based) surveys, forms and questionnaires. There are three main benefits to using this software:

1. Reduced labor costs and time required to process the forms;
2. Increased overall data management, productivity and throughput;
3. Reduced number of data errors.

The software is capable of processing hundreds of forms per minute. It can reduce the labor costs of processing data forms by 50-80%, while shortening the data processing cycle by as much as 80%-90%. Using electronic data collection forms virtually eliminates human errors in data entry process. It is important to note, that no software is perfect, and TELEform will make data form errors, especially in situations where decoding hand-written data is required. But the majority of human errors are those where the data is entered improperly, i.e. correct data typed into the wrong field, or incorrect data typed into the proper field (aka: "fat-finger" typing). Electronic completion of forms produces more accurate data collection and greater time and cost savings.

 Services

The Data Collection Core will provide expert services including:

•  Study forms design and implementation
•  Training in all aspects of using TELEform software
•  Database construction and exporting / preparing data for statistical applications such as SAS and SPSS
•  Technical assistance with scanners and computers running electronic form capture process

The Data Collection Core is a fee-for-service core facility that offers researchers the resources to process small or large volumes of a) paper-based forms or b) the ability to create and process PDF/HTML electronic data entry forms. The Data Collection Core will work with all customers interested in using TELEform eForms designer software. Repeat customers will save even more if previously developed forms are reused for other studies. The services of the Data Collection Core are competitively priced. We charged for our design services at $38/hour for actual time spent working on your forms!

Contact Information

Stephen Berry- Director, Academic Computing
Nancy Zhao- Application Specialist

Getting Started

Sample forms and cost estimate for using eData Collection core services:

In order to help our customers understand the costs and results of creating TELEform data collection forms, we have posted 3 PDF form examples with time and cost estimates. 

Autonomic Symptoms Form (PDF)- creation time 2.5 hours Cost: $ 95

Pattern Differentiation Form (PDF)- creation time 5.0 hours Cost: $190

** Note: the electronic submit button has been removed from these forms to prevent any accidental submission of data to these studies. All forms used with the explicit permission of the study PIs.