I have a database design question on double data entry comparisons.
If it matters, we will be using ORACLE 7.0 (we haven't got it yet),
SQL*FORMS 3.0, on the Sun platform.
We will have different data entry clerks entering the same data.
Then we would like to compare only selected fields. If there are
no disagreements, then the data is ready. If not, then the data
is not ready for analysis (we have a manual arbitration step here).
The reason why I say selected fields, is that we will not be comparing
the long text fields (comments, etc). Nor will we be comparing the
auditing information (clerk id, time of start, time of post, etc).
I want to make sure that I can make comparisons fairly easily (there
will be about 30 different types of data entry forms, each with
6 to 80 fields).
So, is it easier to have just the fields to be compared in one table,
and the auditing information in another?
Should I have two different tables for each form, one for the first
data entry, the second for the second data entry?
I would appreciate any ideas. Especially, if you have any stories,
good or bad about similar designs.
Thank you!
Debbie Yoshihara
Department of Biostatistics
