title: A Data Management System Integrating Web-based Training and Randomized Trials: Requirements, Experiences and Recommendations.
abstract: This article describes a data management system (DMS) developed to support a large-scale randomized study of an innovative web-course that was designed to improve substance abuse counselors' knowledge and skills in applying a substance abuse treatment method (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy; CBT). The randomized trial compared the performance of web-course-trained participants (intervention group) and printed-manual-trained participants (comparison group) to determine the effectiveness of the web-course in teaching CBT skills. A single DMS was needed to support all aspects of the study: web-course delivery and management, as well as randomized trial management. The authors briefly reviewed several other systems that were described as built either to handle randomized trials or to deliver and evaluate web-based training. However it was clear that these systems fell short of meeting our needs for simultaneous, coordinated management of the web-course and the randomized trial. New England Research Institute's (NERI) proprietary Advanced Data Entry and Protocol Tracking (ADEPT) system was coupled with the web-programmed course and customized for our purposes. This article highlights the requirements for a DMS that operates at the intersection of web-based course management systems and randomized clinical trial systems, and the extent to which the coupled, customized ADEPT satisfied those requirements. Recommendations are included for institutions and individuals considering conducting randomized trials and web-based training programs, and seeking a DMS that can meet similar requirements.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA, 02215 , fax 617-353-5612.
authors.forename: Jordana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muroff
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA, 02215 , fax 617-353-5612.
authors.forename: Maryann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amodeo
authors.affiliation: New England Research Institutes, Inc., 9 Galen Street, Watertown, MA 02472 ; Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham MA 02454 , fax 781 736-3985.
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.affiliation: New England Research Institutes, Inc., 9 Galen Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Loftin & Associates, Management Consultants 31 Stearns Road, Marlborough, MA 01752.
authors.forename: Ralph D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Loftin
keywords: Data management system; Randomized trials; Systems development; Systems requirements; Web-based training