Orthopedic research: an overview of data entry, database management, and statistical analysis.
An orthopedic practitioner can facilitate clinical research and analyze quality assurance data with a minor investment in a personal computer, an optical scanner, and two software packages, namely a database manager and a statistics program. One of the most time-consuming stages in the research process includes entering patient chart data, editing and manipulating the data (database management), and analyzing the data (statistical analysis). This can be automated to a large extent with the above mentioned equipment. This article focuses on the steps involved in organizing an orthopedic office for research. The steps include choosing a method of data entry, choosing and implementing a database package, and choosing and implementing a statistics package. This discussion is followed by a practical review of basic statistics applicable to orthopedic research. Several simple and advanced tests are described and examples are given for each.
Kassing
D R
DR
Center for Hip and Knee Surgery, Mooresville, Ind, 46158.
Ritter
M A
MA
Faris
P M
PM
Keating
E M
EM
Nyhuis
A W
AW
D001699:Biometry; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003628:Database Management Systems; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D009817:Office Management; D009985:Orthopedics; D012106:Research; D012984:Software