Youth Smoking Survey

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Youth Smoking Survey
THE INSIDE STORY Lessons Learned

• National Conference on Tobacco or Health

October 1, 2007
a Shapes project
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Context

• Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) is a Health Canada
  sponsored survey
• (1994, 2002, 2004-05, 2006-07)
• 2004-05 YSS, 10 provinces collaborated UW was
  central coordinating team (281 schools, 29 243
  students, 9 199 parents)
• 2006-07 YSS, 10 provinces collaborated UW was
  central coordinating team (309 schools, 56 885
  students, 8 000 parents)

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Todays presentation will highlight

• Lessons learned from the 2004-05 YSS that
  directed changes to central coordination and
  collection of data across 10 provinces
• Design and development of an Online Survey
  Implementation System (OSIS) to meet the needs of
  the 2006-07 YSS implementation
• Challenges and successes of OSIS development and
  use
• Feasibility and importance of developing online
  systems for future multi-site research projects

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Lessons Learned from 2004-05 YSS

• Individual school databases used to implement
  protocols and collect data presented challenges
• Multiple users were unable to work in a database
  simultaneously which reduced efficiency at peak
  data collection times
• Receiving databases from provinces was
  inefficient as no centralized process for
  downloading data was available
• Duplication of processes occurred as files were
  imported into multiple databases

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Online Survey Implementation System

• It is more than a databaseit is a system!
• Historically, online systems are developed
  externally and/or adapted from existing software
• Custom built using ColdFusion MX7 server
  technology and MySQL4.1 backend database
• Security Features included SSL security
  certificate, Login/password, Daily data backup
• UW/YSS team members collaborated to create a
  system tailored to the needs of this project in
  approximately 4 months

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OSIS Features

• Provides seamless, real-time transfer of
  information
• Ensures ease of use functionality for operators
  with various levels of computer knowledge
• Allows multiple users to access the system
  simultaneously

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OSIS Features

• Ensures consistent implementation of protocols

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OSIS Features

• Monitors and tracks project progress

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OSIS Features

• Provides real-time statistics
• (e.g., recruitment rates, data collection
  progress)

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OSIS Features

• Allows for easy transfer of data into school
  specific feedback reports

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Challenges

• Completing development of the application within
  tight timelines
• Changing and adapting protocols and project
  materials as the project evolves
• Accessing materials/reports online was not
  utilized by schools as readily as anticipated
• Providing technical support to provincial sites
  (e.g., computer settings for printing, etc.)
• Adapting procedures to accommodate collaborative
  projects

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Successes

• Efficiency and accuracy of collecting data
  occurred in many aspects of implementation
• Staff said the system was invaluable to
  implementation and very easy to use
• Feedback from participating schools 89 project
  well organized, 80 survey easy to implement, 94
  would participate again
• System users provided feedback throughout project
  to improve OSIS functionality
• Real-time data access allowed UW team to identify
  concerns, adjust protocols, methodologies

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What is next?

• If you can imagine itwe can build it
• Framework for OSIS currently being adapted to
  suit the needs of other research projects
• Currently in development of a multi-use online
  questionnaire application
• Collaboration with other research partners to
  reduce burden on participants (e.g., schools,
  boards, students)

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Conclusions

• Online data collection system is necessary for
  multi-site research projects
• Tight development timeline will always be an
  issue
• On-sight developers a must
• Building flexibility into the system is required
  to include collaborative projects

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For More Information

• Presenters
• Laura Holtby
• lholtby_at_healthy.uwaterloo.ca
• Matthew VanderMeer
• mlvander_at_healthy.uwaterloo.ca
• Acknowledgments
• Lisa Stockton
• Project Coordinator
• Katy Wong
• Senior Project Manager

• Principal Investigator
• Dr. Steve Manske
• manske_at_healthy.uwaterloo.ca
• Centre for Behavioural Research
• and Program Evaluation (CBRPE)
• Acknowledgments
• Tammy Cumming
• YSS Data Collection Coordinator
• Janice Tiessen
• Database Manager

...a Shapes project