A comparison of automated data collection and manual data collection for toxicology studies.

Automated data collection was compared with manual data collection in terms of accuracy and man-hours devoted to data manipulation and checking. The comparison was based on experience with an automated data collection system (DOLPHIN)TM1 developed at Toxigenics for use in conducting toxicological studies. It was found that on-line data collection increases the quality of the data gathered because: 1) it facilitates scientific observation by displaying historical data and statistics on changes since the last observation period; 2) it virtually eliminates errors due to oversight and transcription; 3) it allows more careful monitoring of the course of the study by providing immediate access to interim summary statistics; 4) it provides complete documentation of all changes made to the data after initial collection. In addition, automated data collection enables more rapid completion of the final report of results because: 1) fewer departmental transfers are required; 2) auditing by Quality Assurance (Q.A.) personnel is facilitated.