COMPUTERIZED SYSTEMS FOR COLLECTING REAL‐TIME OBSERVATIONAL DATA

Abstract

Advances in computer technology have led to the development of a number of semiautomated systems for collecting real‐time observational data. We conducted a survey of 15 developers of computerized systems and summarized the features of each system. Many of these systems have incorporated laptop or handheld computers as well as bar‐code scanners. Most systems used IBM‐compatible (DOS or Windows) software, although a few were designed for either the MacOS or some other operating system. The range in prices started from free to more complete systems costing over $1,500. Data analysis programs were included with most programs; however, only about a third of the systems included a program to compute interobserver agreement.