title: Using a relational database to support nursing research.
abstract: Designing, implementing, and maintaining a relational database for a complex, longitudinal clinical research project can be the key to the success of a research project. Related issues of data entry, accuracy, confidentiality, security, data analysis, and evaluation of research activities are among the considerations that must be addressed. Our experience with designing a system that was effective and user-friendly to manage the data collected during a 6-year, National Institutes of Health-funded, nursing research project is highlighted. Nurses and other healthcare providers may find our experience with a relational database helpful and applicable to similar clinical research projects.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7460, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Boyington
authors.forename: B U
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dougherty
mesh_terms: D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection; D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012423:Rural Health; D014481:United States; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000451:nursing; D016387:Women's Health