Script for Neuro-QOL Screencasts
Accessing Neuro-QOL instruments: Using Assessment Center as an online data collection tool
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Hi! Welcome to this presentation about accessing Neuro-QOL
instruments. This is the second of three presentations on this topic and
here we will focus on Assessment Center.
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As I introduced in the first presentation, Neuro-QOL instruments can be
found in on the Neuro-QOL website and in Assessment Center.
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Knowing what source is right for you is based on knowing your mode of
data collection and what instruments are of interest.
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Let’s get started with Assessment Center, a computer-based data
collection tool.
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To start, there are a number of reasons you may want to use a web-based
platform for data collection.
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First, libraries of patient-reported outcome instruments are often
available meaning you can find an accurate copy of an instrument
quickly and easily.
Second, computer-based data collection can have scoring
algorithms embedded so that scoring happens immediately and
accurately.
Third, web-based systems can automatically back up data
protecting it from manipulation or loss
Finally, using the web allows recruiters at multiple sites to access
the same study. It also allows participants to complete data
collection in a variety of settings including at home, a clinic, or
public space with internet connectivity.
Finally, the time of participants’ answers each question can be
recorded. Sometimes this is helpful in trying to ensure data
quality.
With the creation of computerized adaptive tests, a computer is
mandatory for administration. This is because there is a complex
algorithm that is used to select what items are administered, how they
are scored, and when to stop the test.
Assessment Center is one web-based data collection tool. It is not a
statistical analysis tool.
Basically, a user can set-up a study website where he or she would direct
participants.
The library of instruments in Assessment Center includes Neuro-QOL as
well as the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System
or PROMIS and NIH Toolbox instruments.
Both short forms and computerized adaptive tests are available.
You can also include instruments that a clinician or researcher would
complete.
If there is an instrument you want to use that isn’t in the library, there are
features for adding it to your study.
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Open
www.assessmentce
nter.net
Click on Video
Tutorials
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Many study designs are supported including single and multiple
timepoints.
There are other research features including allowing for multiple study
arms, randomization, and tracking accrual.
Data collection is possible in English, Spanish, French, and German,
although the entire library of instruments is not available in all of these
languages.
Data is available for export at any time. Protected health information is
stored in a separate database from participants’ responses.
A data dictionary showing item IDs and the meaning of scores is
automatically produced.
Finally, PDF versions of instruments in the library are also available.
Assessment Center was developed through NIH grant funding. In the
future, support and hosting fees may be implemented in order to
maintain the software application.
Assessment Center development continues with a focus on improving
usability and loading new instruments.
Assessment Center is being utilized as a clinical research tool by many
people. You can see from these numbers that a large number of
researchers worldwide have registered on the site and used Assessment
Center for a substantial amount of data collection.
In order to help you learn how to use Assessment Center, we have
created a number of resources that can be found on the Assessment
Center homepage.
First, there are a series of video tutorials like this one.
Tutorials are organized by feature. This one is showing you how to
complete the basic study set-up page.
Expand Set-up
Click Basic Study
Set-up
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If you prefer text, please reference the Assessment Center User Manual.
It includes step-by-step instructions for using specific features.
Navigate to
homepage
Click on User
Manuals
Click on Assessment
Center User Manual.
Scroll to TOC.
Finally, Assessment Center has a help desk that can be reached by phone
or email.
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Navigate back to
homepage.
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Assessment Center allows access to PDF and online versions of all NeuroQOL instruments including short forms and full item banks. It is a data
collection tool that supports administration and scoring of computerized
adaptive tests and short forms. It also allows for a clinical researcher to
enter other instruments not found in the library including other common
patient-reported outcome measures or a custom instrument such as
demographics.
This concludes my overview of Assessment Center. In the next
presentation I will show you the participant interface in a study I set up in
Assessment Center that includes Neuro-QOL instruments.
Thank you! This work has been supported through the National Institute
for Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
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