How to design and use a research database

Cross, Simon S.; Palmer, Ian R.; Stephenson, Timothy J.

doi:10.1016/j.mpdhp.2009.07.003

« Previous Next »Diagnostic Histopathology
Volume 15, Issue 10 , Pages 490-495, October 2009

How to design and use a research database

Simon S Cross MD FRCPath is a Reader in Pathology at the University of Sheffield and an Honorary Consultant Histopathologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation, UK

Ian R Palmer BSc is the IT Team Leader in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sheffield and Leader for the Cellular Pathology specialist subject modules (MSc Pathological Sciences) offered by Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Timothy J Stephenson MA MD MBA FRCPath is Clinical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Professor at Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

published online 19 August 2009.

Abstract

The vast majority of histopathology research projects based on a series of tissue samples will require a database to store and organize the data. Most of these databases will be relatively simple standalone databases that can be created in a spreadsheet application. However, there are still some important considerations in the design of the database and coding of the data that will make its subsequent use much more time efficient. This article reviews the scope of databases for common histopathology research projects, the ethical and legal considerations, design of the database structure, coding of data items, and import and export of data from databases.

Keywords: anonymization, databases, histopathology