Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118069

Manuella Adrian, M Sc Hyg¹, Emma Ergon-Pérez, MA¹, Sarah R. Khushal, MS², Brenda Lerner, PsyD², Michèle M. Jean-Gilles, PhD², Jessy G. Dévieux, PhD², and Robert M. Malow, PhD¹. (1) College of Health and Urban Affairs/Public Health/AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, Bayview Drive Suite 1507, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, (305) 948-8023, madrian@the-beach.net, (2) College of Health and Urban Affairs/ AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, ACI-260, North Miami, FL 33181

Background: Evidence-based policies need good information. Information on alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use may be incomplete due to problems in identifying all ATOD users, obtaining accurate information from users who may be reluctant to incriminate themselves, have recall problems or want to give socially desirable answers resulting in both under- and over-reporting, and usual data collection problems. However, emerging research management practices and technologies may also lead to errors.

Research question/methods: We examined to what extent the replacement of original source documents by commercially scanned images stored in CD-ROM/DVDs could provide complete and legible data for follow-up studies of ATOD populations using data from two research projects with 3 data bases and 827 records collected between 1999 and 2002 in Miami-Dade county.

Results: We found that 10% to 15% (depending on the type of information) of scanned records were incomplete for research purposes, including missing records (2% to 3%) and missing or mislabeled record locators. Within-record errors included: missing or incomplete pages or words, resulting in unrecognizable variable labels. This increases missing data errors and decreases validity of findings

Conclusion: This new source of error due to new research management practices and technologies can compound the problems of obtaining valid information on ATOD users and making appropriate science-based policy decisions while increasing research costs. Possible solutions are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need for valid information in making scientific evidence-based policy decisions
• Identify a new source of error in obtaining good quality information stemming from the use of new data archiving systems based on the scanning of source documents into images stored on CD-ROM/DVD.
• Analyze and evaluate the impact of this type of error on research findings in order to develop solutions to maintain the quality of information used for evidence-based decision making .

Keywords: Quality, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.