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

• Main Authors: Higgins Laurence D, Menezes Andreia P, Martins Henrique, Guller Ulrich, Pietrobon Ricardo, Jacobs Danny O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2004-12-01
• Series: BMC Medical Research Methodology
• Subjects: biomedical research; statistical data interpretation; research design; planning techniques; Internet; computer-assisted instruction
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/4/29

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We describe a system of web applications designed to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration in outcomes research.</p> <p>Description</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The system presents an alternative to streamline the interdisciplinary collaboration of clinicians, statisticians, programmers, and graduate students.</p>