title: Using PDAs for data collection.
abstract: Advances in handheld computer technology are making data collection faster, easier, and more accurate. In this article, the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) to collect data for a study on elder neglect is described and evaluated. Methods for integrating this technology into a research study are discussed as are suggestions for increasing the performance of data collectors using these devices. The authors offer some practical solutions for researchers and clinicians planning to use PDAs in their research.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, The Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, NY 10003-6677, USA. lag224@nyu.ed
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guadagno
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: VandeWeerd
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Paveza
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fulmer
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003200:Computer User Training; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000592:standards*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005431:Florida; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009519:New York City; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D048108:Nursing Informatics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009737:Nursing Records; D015588:Observer Variation; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014584:User-Computer Interface