A suite of web applications to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration in secondary data analyses

Publication

A suite of web applications to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration in secondary data analyses

Journal Paper/Review - Dec 14, 2004

Pietrobon Ricardo, Gueller Ulrich, Martins Henrique, Menezes Andreia P, Higgins Laurence D, Jacobs Danny O

Citation

Pietrobon R, Gueller U, Martins H, Menezes A, Higgins L, Jacobs D. A suite of web applications to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration in secondary data analyses. BMC Med Res Methodol 2004; 4:29.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

BMC Med Res Methodol 2004; 4

Publication Date

Dec 14, 2004

Issn Electronic

1471-2288

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
We describe a system of web applications designed to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration in outcomes research.

DESCRIPTION
The outcomes research process can be described as a set of three interrelated phases: design and selection of data sources, analysis, and output. Each of these phases has inherent challenges that can be addressed by a group of five web applications developed by our group. QuestForm allows for the formulation of relevant and well-structured outcomes research questions; Research Manager facilitates the project management and electronic file exchange among researchers; Analysis Charts facilitate the communication of complex statistical techniques to clinicians with varying previous levels of statistical knowledge; Literature Matrices improve the efficiency of literature reviews. An outcomes research question is used to illustrate the use of the system.

CONCLUSIONS
The system presents an alternative to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration of clinicians, statisticians, programmers, and graduate students.