Section outline

  • Lecture: Data Tables--Rows=Records, Columns=Fields; Data Dictionaries=Metadata; Excel--a great tool, but not for data entry, storage, and management

    Going from data collection forms to data tables in which rows correspond to records/entities and columns correspond to fields/attributes. The concept of a data dictionary or "meta-data".  What is great about Excel and why you can't use it for data entry, storage, and management.  Data table structure -- Wide ("short-fat") vs. Long ("tall-skinny").

    IMPORTANT: The course labs require a MyResearch and REDCap account from UCSF Academic Research Systems (ARS).  We will submit the initial account request for all registered students in EPI 218. You should receive an email from ARS (or DocuSign) asking you to fill out an online attestation form in order to activate your MyResearch and REDCap account.  See the "Prospectus" memo below.  

    Faculty:  Michael Kohn

    Location:      Mission Hall 1400

    • Prospectus:

    • Session Slides:

    • EPI218Lecture1.ppt File

    • Session Audio/Video Recording (Access restricted to registered students):

    • Required Reading:

      Chapter 16 -- "Data Management" in Designing Clinical Research (Hulley et al), 4th Edition

    • Assignment:

      Work through the Chapter 16 ("Data Management") Exercises starting on page 301 of Designing Clinical Research (Hulley et al), 4th Edition.

      These are not to turn in (especially since the answers are in the book).