[Modern epidemiological research is collaborative and data intensive. Sophisticated data collection, storage and quality control techniques are available and capable of greatly enhancing the efficiency and scientific precision of such projects. However, advanced expertise in utilizing these resources does not typically fall within the skill set of the individual investigator. As a result, hiring proficient personnel and centralizing the data management resources and making them available to a set of investigators with similar needs achieves great benefits and efficiencies. In addition, when the programmers and data managers are involved in work in a specialized area for a period of time, they gain unique familiarity with the methods and needs of the investigators. The data management core collaborates with Drs. Graziano, Ahsan and Gamble, as well with the Trace Metals Laboratory Core, the Biogeochemistry Laboratory Core and junior investigators on a regular basis. Standard operating procedures for data entry, storage and quality control have been developed;validation routines are regularly programmed for systems causing data cleaning efforts to become less cumbersome and more streamlined. Ultimately the process of creating required datasets for analyses has been greatly expedited. The core communicates directly with project statisticians thereby gaining a clear understanding of specific dataset requirements for each project. Data quality has been greatly enhanced and the time to completion from the beginning of the data entry process through to the submission of transcripts has been substantially reduced. A variety of program modules, database templates and a network infrastructure have been developed and are immediately available to be incorporated into solutions to address the specific aims of this proposal.
The programming capabilities of this core allow for creative solutions to issues that arise and may be unique to projects. The core'data management is based on utilizing the relational database structure to store data on a safe, secure network. Based on this premise that data are stored in a relational database, the core has implemented, and will continue to implement, innovative solutions for the SRP.
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