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A review of randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of hand held computers with paper methods for data collection
Open accessAbstract
Background: Handheld computers are increasingly favoured over paper and pencil methods to capture data in clinical research. Methods: This study systematically identified and reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the two methods for self-recording and reporting data, and where at least one of the following outcomes was assessed: data accuracy; timeliness of data capture; and adherence to protocols for data collection. Results: A comprehensive key word search of NLM Gateway's database yielded 9 studies fitting the criteria for inclusion. Data extraction was performed and checked by two of the authors. None of the studies included all outcomes. The results overall, favor handheld computers over paper and pencil for data collection among study participants but the data are not uniform for the different outcomes. Handheld computers appear superior in timeliness of receipt and data handling (four of four studies) and are preferred by most subjects (three of four studies). On the other hand, only one of the trials adequately compared adherence to instructions for recording and submission of data (handheld computers were superior), and comparisons of accuracy were inconsistent between five studies. Conclusion: Handhelds are an effective alternative to paper and pencil modes of data collection; they are faster and were preferred by most users.
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“Research has indicated the electronic data collection increases the speed, accuracy, and user acceptability of the process [197–199].”
From Infraslow closed-loop brain training for anxiety and depression (ISAD): a protocol for a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial in adult females with internalizing disorders (2022) · cites this paper as [197]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Lane, S. J., Heddle, N. M., Arnold, E., & Walker, I.
- Affiliations
- McMaster University (CA)
- Canadian Blood Services (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Walker, Irwin
- Venue
- BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
- Published
- 2006-05-31
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 23-23
- ISSN
- 1472-6947 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC1513201
- OpenAlex
- W1492367679
- Cited by
- 208
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 30.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- McMaster University
- Canadian Blood Services
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Electronic Health Records Systems
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Keywords
- personal digital assistants, electronic data capture, clinical research data collection, data accuracy, protocol adherence, participant preferences, self-recording
- MeSH terms
- Clinical Protocols, Data Collection, Humans, Paper, Research Design, Time Factors, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Efficiency, Organizational, Computers, Handheld, Biomedical Research
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