08. Conduct a field-readiness and data-quality review
Lesson
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Assemble an operational study dossier, diagnose common data problems using synthetic observations, and make a justified readiness recommendation with unresolved issues visible.
THE READINESS MEETING
Review the protocol version, selection procedures, instruments, translations, consent materials, staff competence, equipment, supervision, data access, backups, incident contacts and analysis handover. Ask for evidence that procedures work, not only whether a document exists.
For each item record ready, revise or unresolved; identify an owner and action date. A readiness meeting implements the project's review framework. It does not create ethics approval, funding or authorization that has not been obtained.
WORKED FICTIONAL REVIEW
The team has a clear target sample and a functioning form. However, the questionnaire's translated recall period differs from the source version, interviewers do not apply a consistent within-household selection rule, and the backup has never been restored.
These are material problems despite an attractive form. Revise and retest the translation, rehearse the selection procedure with observed assessment, and complete a restoration test. Record the consequences for timing and data comparability. Do not begin simply because the numerical sample target is available.
SYNTHETIC DATA AUDIT
Open Research lab → Data practice lab and download its synthetic CSV and codebook. Identify each variable's meaning and units. Compare row counts with valid numeric counts, inspect blank cells and distinguish nominal codes from measurements.
https://aces-af.org/learn/index.php?r=tool&tool=data
Write three proposed checks without altering the original file. For example, verify that a symptom indicator has permitted values, investigate whether an ID is unique under the intended observation structure, and confirm numeric units. Do not label every missing observation a refusal or average an identifier as though it were a health measurement.
If you create a modified copy for practice, label it clearly as synthetic and record exactly what changed. The browser lab gives unweighted descriptive summaries; a real analysis may need weights, strata, clusters, repeated-measure handling or other methods.
YOUR FINAL DOSSIER
Combine the workload plan, recruitment SOP, codebook, pilot log, training criteria, consent/withdrawal procedures, incident card, data-flow plan, quality rules and release checklist. Include confirmed review status and a list of unresolved decisions. Keep identifiers and sensitive operational information out of the public learning portfolio.
Ask a peer to follow one procedure using only your written instructions. Record where they had to improvise, then revise those steps. Save a dated version and a brief review-response log.
SELF-CHECK AND FEEDBACK
Can correct arithmetic compensate for inconsistent eligibility selection? No. Does a complete dossier mean every fieldworker can perform the procedure? No; demonstrate competence. Should a failed readiness item disappear from the report once corrected? No; retain the issue, resolution and retest evidence.
PORTFOLIO OUTPUT
A field-readiness dossier, a synthetic-data audit and a documented proceed/revise recommendation for the appropriate project decision-maker. Continue to Evidence Appraisal, Mixed Methods & Research Communication for interpretation and dissemination skills.
FURTHER READING
WHO STEPS Manual.
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/steps/part2.pdf
CDC Field Epidemiology Manual: Collecting Data.
https://www.cdc.gov/field-epi-manual/php/chapters/collecting-data.html
Assemble an operational study dossier, diagnose common data problems using synthetic observations, and make a justified readiness recommendation with unresolved issues visible.
THE READINESS MEETING
Review the protocol version, selection procedures, instruments, translations, consent materials, staff competence, equipment, supervision, data access, backups, incident contacts and analysis handover. Ask for evidence that procedures work, not only whether a document exists.
For each item record ready, revise or unresolved; identify an owner and action date. A readiness meeting implements the project's review framework. It does not create ethics approval, funding or authorization that has not been obtained.
WORKED FICTIONAL REVIEW
The team has a clear target sample and a functioning form. However, the questionnaire's translated recall period differs from the source version, interviewers do not apply a consistent within-household selection rule, and the backup has never been restored.
These are material problems despite an attractive form. Revise and retest the translation, rehearse the selection procedure with observed assessment, and complete a restoration test. Record the consequences for timing and data comparability. Do not begin simply because the numerical sample target is available.
SYNTHETIC DATA AUDIT
Open Research lab → Data practice lab and download its synthetic CSV and codebook. Identify each variable's meaning and units. Compare row counts with valid numeric counts, inspect blank cells and distinguish nominal codes from measurements.
https://aces-af.org/learn/index.php?r=tool&tool=data
Write three proposed checks without altering the original file. For example, verify that a symptom indicator has permitted values, investigate whether an ID is unique under the intended observation structure, and confirm numeric units. Do not label every missing observation a refusal or average an identifier as though it were a health measurement.
If you create a modified copy for practice, label it clearly as synthetic and record exactly what changed. The browser lab gives unweighted descriptive summaries; a real analysis may need weights, strata, clusters, repeated-measure handling or other methods.
YOUR FINAL DOSSIER
Combine the workload plan, recruitment SOP, codebook, pilot log, training criteria, consent/withdrawal procedures, incident card, data-flow plan, quality rules and release checklist. Include confirmed review status and a list of unresolved decisions. Keep identifiers and sensitive operational information out of the public learning portfolio.
Ask a peer to follow one procedure using only your written instructions. Record where they had to improvise, then revise those steps. Save a dated version and a brief review-response log.
SELF-CHECK AND FEEDBACK
Can correct arithmetic compensate for inconsistent eligibility selection? No. Does a complete dossier mean every fieldworker can perform the procedure? No; demonstrate competence. Should a failed readiness item disappear from the report once corrected? No; retain the issue, resolution and retest evidence.
PORTFOLIO OUTPUT
A field-readiness dossier, a synthetic-data audit and a documented proceed/revise recommendation for the appropriate project decision-maker. Continue to Evidence Appraisal, Mixed Methods & Research Communication for interpretation and dissemination skills.
FURTHER READING
WHO STEPS Manual.
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/steps/part2.pdf
CDC Field Epidemiology Manual: Collecting Data.
https://www.cdc.gov/field-epi-manual/php/chapters/collecting-data.html
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