A Pocket PC and Web-based Software for Data Entry

Introduction: Technological advances have enabled new formats for data collection. When piloting a questionnaire as part of a toothwear study the 15-17 year old subjects expressed a desire for greater privacy, they were concerned that peers would glance at responses on paper. The possibility of using a mobile device for the questionnaire in combination with a laptop based direct data entry system for the clinical data was tested. Direct data entry provides immediate access to the data, eliminates errors associated with transcribing and provides a system with greater subject perceived anonymity. Objectives: To develop a direct data entry system which could be easily understood by the users, encourage compliance, be affordable and portable. Methods: A database-driven web application was adapted to meet these requirements. A laptop hosted the web and database server, and a pocket PC with web browser acted as a client. The pocket PC communicated with the server through a wireless local area network. The system was piloted in a Cork city school with 22 subjects aged 15-17 years under conditions similar to those that would exist during the main study. The software developed permitted the dental examination to be entered directly onto the laptop by the recorder and the questionnaire to be answered directly by the subject with the use of a touch screen and stylus. Results: All of the subjects successfully used the pocket PC for data entry. All data were successfully transmitted to the database. Information pertaining to the dental examination was entered on the laptop contemporaneously without error. Students reported that the system was easy to follow and provided anonymity. Conclusions: The system developed has been successfully piloted and will be used in the main study. Further dental applications for similar software programmes are being explored. Funding: HRB Project Grant PR/2005/267.