Dual entry
A major responsibility of any Quality Control Unit (QC) is to ensure data integrity. Errors made during data entry can lead to many problems in the study review process and decrease the quality, accuracy, and overall efficiency of data management. One technique that can reduce the number of data entry errors in computer data sets is the use of a dual entry data system such as the following:
  • One data entry clerk enters the data exactly as on the forms with minimal range checks
  • A second data entry clerk enters the data a second time, using the same procedure but the data go into a different file.
  • The two entries are checked against each other by a program run by the supervisor/data manager.  The program identifies any discrepancies, which are corrected by the supervisor
  • Logic and range checks are run by the supervisor.
  • Records that pass the logic and range checks are added to the definitive database (or marked as checked).
Dual entry can catch transcription errors between paper forms and the database.  It can  also be used to trace the comparative performance of data entry clerks.  Subsequently the system/software developer will get the feedback from the supervisor and the developed system could be modified accordingly.
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