Having determined the who, what, when, and how factors of data collection, the final step at this stage of the research process is to decide where the data will be stored. Choosing a database management system can be affected by preference, availability, budget, and other factors. In any case, here are some practical considerations to keep in mind when evaluating the options.
- Are the case report forms easy to set up and to use? How accommodating is the software if later changes are needed (to add or remove queries, for instance)?
- Are there automatic data backup and recovery mechanisms in case of a system crash?
- What security features are enabled to protect confidential patient information or prevent unauthorized database manipulation?
- How compatible is the system with other statistical software packages or, as in the case of a multicenter trial, with systems already in place at other sites?
- How easy is it to retrieve stored data and to sort and prepare it for statistical analysis?
- What kind of technical support is offered for troubleshooting?
- Is the system cost-effective and appropriate for the data management needs of a particular trial?
