Escandon I N, Searing H, Goldberg R, Duran R, Arce J Monterrey
EngenderHealth, ACQUIRE Partner, NY 10001, USA.
Glob Public Health. 2008;3(1):93-104. doi: 10.1080/17441690701437021.
We compared the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) against the use of standard paper questionnaires for collecting survey data. The evaluation consisted of qualitative approaches to document the process of introducing PDAs. Fieldwork was carried out during June-July 2005 at 12 sites in Bolivia. Data collectors reacted positively to the use of the PDAs and noted the advantages and disadvantages of paper and PDA data collection. A number of difficulties encountered in the use of PDA technology serve as a warning for investigators planning its adoption. Problems included incompatible data files (which impeded the ability to interpret data), an inadequate back-up protocol, and lack of a good 'fit' between the technology and the study. Ensuring the existence of a back-end database, developing an appropriate and adequate back-up protocol, and assessing whether a technology 'fits' the project are important factors in weighing the decision to collect data using PDAs.
我们比较了使用个人数字助理（PDA）与使用标准纸质问卷来收集调查数据的情况。评估采用定性方法记录引入PDA的过程。2005年6月至7月在玻利维亚的12个地点进行了实地调查。数据收集者对使用PDA反应积极，并指出了纸质和PDA数据收集的优缺点。使用PDA技术时遇到的一些困难为计划采用该技术的调查人员敲响了警钟。问题包括不兼容的数据文件（妨碍了对数据的解读能力）、备份协议不完善以及该技术与研究之间缺乏良好的“契合度”。确保存在后端数据库、制定适当且充分的备份协议以及评估某项技术是否“适合”该项目，是权衡使用PDA收集数据这一决策时的重要因素。
