Data management in practice-based research.

Objective: Multi-site data collection is complex and requires an effective data management system. This article explores data management issues encountered in the design, conduct, and analysis of a research project involving 74 community-based sites and a central data management system.

Results: Once the data arrived at the central site, data integrity was maintained at a very high level. Issues encountered in our study on low back pain reflected the practice-based nature of the study and the limitations of finances, staff, and facilities.

Conclusion: The task of converting a research protocol to actual procedures for data collection and data management can be very challenging. The importance of early recognition of the effort and resources needed for data management and quality-control procedures cannot be overestimated.