Crucial to the proper functioning of data collection is specification of a set of notifications associated with these phases.
Potential sources of error in existing surveillance systems include variations in system specifications, data collection protocol, time periods over which the data are collected, and analytic methods applied to determine disease trend or departure from a typical norm.
The data collection system, based on specifications from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, includes a multi-step cleaning process and annual onsite audit to ensure data accuracy.
After a brief background in the "Background" section, the "Methods" section provides an outline of the analytical framework and also describes the study area, data collection, and empirical model specification with emphasis on the hypothesized relations.
The entire process of setting up a complex mobile phone data collection project to the specification of a user (project and form definitions) can be undertaken at the EpiCollect+ website using a simple 'drag and drop' procedure, with visualisation of the data gathered using Google Maps and charts at the project website.
The objectives of the pilot study were to test data collection procedures, to refine specification of variables, to test the conceptual framework for the study and to refine the approach to the analysis and community feedback procedures (community feedback is not discussed in this paper).
Multivariate risk models require careful attention to accurate measurements, a priori selection of the primary outcomes and risk factors of interest, specification of data collection including any missing values, and assessment of collinearity and any confounding or effect modification.
A subsequent gap analysis is utilised to assess the need for further baseline data collection and to facilitate the specification of a set of potential key performance indicators and strategies to inform the required evidence-base.
However, many factors and issues are realised regarding the specification of the data collection.
A technical specification for the data collection platform released by HESA for potential suppliers indicates how the standard dataset would need to be both human- and machine-readable (https://www.hesa.ac.uk/files/Data-futures/Data-Futures_Overview-for-PQQ.pdf).
A comprehensive dataset specification (the ICNARC Case Mix Programme Dataset Specification) [ 9] and individual data collection manuals are made available to all data collectors and software developers.
