Research database design and software development

At Penfold Data Solutions, our approach is to work with researchers to help them make the most of their data.

Using a professionally developed database to manage your data has many advantages, not least:

	Reduced time spent on repetitive data entry tasks
	Fewer data entry errors, eg through extensive data checking
	Automatic importation of existing digital data
	Time consuming calculations can be automated
	Data integrity can be protected
	Effective way or manage complex data sets
	Facilitate data summarisation and analysis

Penfold Data Solutions has successfully developed custom research databases for scientists from a range of disciplines based at Universities and in Government Departments. As you might expect we have extensive computing and software development expertise. However, what makes Penfold Data Solutions unique is that we combine this computing expertise with a strong background in scientific research.

One of the best times to talk to Penfold Data Solutions is when you are putting together a grant proposal. We can help you plan for your project's data management needs. We can also provide a quotation that you can use to guide your funding application.

Services offered by Penfold Data Solutions include:

	Advice on an effective data coding strategy
	Custom database design and development
	Custom software design and development
	Development of web-based databases
	Arrangement of hosting for your web-based database
	Installation, technical documentation and after sales support for the systems we develop
	Modifying or troubleshooting existing databases
	Conversion of spreadsheet based systems to a true database format
	Training in the use of the database and software systems we develop
	Training for those who wish to modify their databases

To see some real-world examples of how a professionally developed database can benefit your research, download our client database example brochures:

Management of chronic whiplash associated disorders (pdf 61 KB)*
A Comparison of function of the neck muscles in persons with and without chronic headache (pdf 61 KB)*

To discuss how Penfold Data Solutions could help you and your organisation, or to arrange a free on-site consultation, please contact Guy Penfold on (07) 3892 6724 or email Guy.Penfold@pds.com.au.

*This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download Acrobat Reader from Adobe's website.

Related links:

Website development

e-Learning solutions

Data entry and scanning

Examples of recent projects:

Research databases

Long-term monitoring databases

One-off survey databases

Data summarisation and reporting tools

Statistical analysis tools

Simulation and modelling software

Project spotlight:

The LAW Study - a Longitudinal Assessment of Ageing in Women

The LAW study is a prospective clinical evaluation of psychosocial and pathophysiological changes in a population-based cohort of women randomly recruited and aged 40-80 years, over a 5-year program.

The study is a collaboration between eight research groups and is based at the Betty Byrne Henderson Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Brisbane.

The study's database allows data from each research group to be coordinated and shared, allowing a multidisciplinary approach to the research.

Researchers select the data they wish to analyse and click a button to export to it to a file for importing into SPSS

At the click of a button, data from any part of the project can be brought together and exported to SPSS for analysis. At the same time time the database creates variable and label definition files for SPSS to facilitate the analysis process.