Programming data entry

Buelke-Sam, Collaborative Behavioral Teratology Study Programmed data entry and automated test systems, Neurobehav. Toxicol. Teratol., 7(6)... 

Each data set fills a column if data sets are of unequal length, N is determined by the largest set (program DATA nonexistent entries are entered in DATA by just pressing J, and are ignored by MULTI. 

Close tracking of data entry means that performance measures can be tracked and managed. Such measures typically include query rates (which can be tracked by site, investigator, quesiton, and any comparators), time to respond to queries, rate of query rejection, and the like, and they provide an opportunity to identify and correct performance issues, whether associated with an individual site or study or a program. This capability alone provides a powerful tool by which sites throughout the world can be closely monitored. 

Whenever a test 1s to be run, the sample composition and Instrument control parameters must be defined. This Is done with three (or more) data-entry screens. The first data-entry screen, shown In Figure 4, deals with experiment identification and base fluid composition. The operator simply types in the desired information Into unprotected fields of the screen. Information requested Includes such Items as experiment ID, submitter s name, base fluid type and base fluid additives. The base fluid pump rate and valve selection are also requested for later use by the control programs. The second data-entry screen is used to select the desired test temperatures and also to record any comments related to the experiment. The third data-entry screen Is used to input the in-line additive compositions. This screen is filled out for each set of additives to be tested with the base fluid as described on Data-Entry Screen No. 1. Also input are the pump rates for each of the three additive pumps. This information is used by the control programs when the additive set is being tested. (The pump rates are preset by the operator, but the pumps are turned on and off by the control programs as necessary during the course of an experiment.)... 

Data Entry Block - This group of programs is used to evaluate and regress experimental data into the form suitable for use by the Program Builder Block. 

The use of computers enables laboratories to greatly improve their production capabilities, but it also creates new tasks and responsibilities. For example, laboratories must verify computer programs used for data reduction in order to confirm the correctness of the calculations. To create an analytical method using commercially available or custom analytical software, laboratory chemists must exercise professional judgment in the selection of appropriate method parameters often accompanied by data entry by hand, which opens the door for errors to creep in. Today, electronic spreadsheets replaced manual calculations, and their correctness must be also verified. 

VP estimation is performed by the MPBPWIN program using three separate methods (1) the Antoine method, (2) the modified Grain method, and (3) the Mackay method. All three use the normal boiling point to estimate VP. Unless the user enters a boiling point on the data-entry screen, MPBPWIN uses the estimated boiling point from the adapted Stein and Brown method. When a boiling point is entered on the data entry screen, MPBPWIN uses it. Each VP method is discussed below. 

In practice, data normalization is calculated using a spreadsheet or other of computer program. The best programs are integrated into a package that includes the hardware to actually capture the raw data. This eliminates the need to manually enter data. In general, systems that require manual data entry do not stand up to the test of time operators will usually cease manually entering data within the first couple of months after start-up, and they are left with only observed data with which to analyze performance. As discussed previously, observed data are unreliable due to the effects of pressure, temperature, and concentration on product flow and salt rejection. 

References to data retrieved from a stand-alone database should cite the source as a computer program (for example, MDL CrossFire Commander, see p 323 f) or as an online reference book (for example, the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, see p 305 f), with the data entry number or other identifying information included at the end of the citation. Data retrieved from an Internet-based database should cite the source as a Web site (see pp 316 ff). If the data retrieved are calculated data, also cite the software used for calculation (for example, ACD/Labs). 

Use the title found on the Web site itself add the words Home Page for clarification when needed. Data retrieved from Internet-based databases should include a data entry number. Stand-alone databases should be cited as computer programs (see p 323). 

If one wants to plan and control a larger project in a serious manner, project management software packages are essential and save a lot of time. These programs use entry data such as task descriptions, their duration, start or finish times, tasks dependencies and milestones to automatically sequence and schedule the project tasks. Conflicts and logic errors are identified and the project is re-scheduled after these have been corrected. A critical path analysis function reveals and... 

When evaluating individuals abilities to perform technical or physical skills, you may wonder whether it is wise to have them take a test of some sort. Unfortunately, tests can be legally problematic unless they have been determined to be both reliable and internally valid. Other than the standard keyboarding program tests for positions that require typing or data entry skills, grammar and spelling tests, and basic math tests, there are few validated tests available in the marketplace. 

Some programs have complex data entry systems, limiting ease of use. The data entry and storage system should be based upon a spreadsheet system, so that subsequent editing and transformation operations are straightforward. 

With the help of the study team, data management usually prepares the validation procedures document to identify specific variables that must be validated. Edit checks may be defined as part of the data structure and executed during data entry. Programmed checks are user-defined checks executed off-line during batch validation. 

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