How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practical and methodological challenges inherent in online behaviour change studies are both novel and complex. We relate our experiences of estimating and managing information technology (IT) research and intervention costs in a...

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Main Authors: Murray Elizabeth, Linke Stuart, Khadjesari Zarnie, Godfrey Christine, O'Donnell Orla, McCambridge Jim, Wallace Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-06-01
Series:BMC Research Notes
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/3/172
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author Murray Elizabeth
Linke Stuart
Khadjesari Zarnie
Godfrey Christine
O'Donnell Orla
McCambridge Jim
Wallace Paul
author_facet Murray Elizabeth
Linke Stuart
Khadjesari Zarnie
Godfrey Christine
O'Donnell Orla
McCambridge Jim
Wallace Paul
author_sort Murray Elizabeth
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practical and methodological challenges inherent in online behaviour change studies are both novel and complex. We relate our experiences of estimating and managing information technology (IT) research and intervention costs in an ongoing internet trial in the hope that others will find this information useful.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Actual IT costs were approximately twice those that had been originally estimated by external contractors. These original estimates for IT costs allowed little scope for the identification of new needs, which was intrinsic to the iterative nature of the research enterprise.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Making greater provision for the uncertain nature of these costs in future studies is a key practical lesson for the planning of future online behaviour change studies.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-c25f376c9c1f4ba0aa71cc3a4a127ed92022-12-21T19:10:33ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002010-06-013117210.1186/1756-0500-3-172How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trialMurray ElizabethLinke StuartKhadjesari ZarnieGodfrey ChristineO'Donnell OrlaMcCambridge JimWallace Paul<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practical and methodological challenges inherent in online behaviour change studies are both novel and complex. We relate our experiences of estimating and managing information technology (IT) research and intervention costs in an ongoing internet trial in the hope that others will find this information useful.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Actual IT costs were approximately twice those that had been originally estimated by external contractors. These original estimates for IT costs allowed little scope for the identification of new needs, which was intrinsic to the iterative nature of the research enterprise.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Making greater provision for the uncertain nature of these costs in future studies is a key practical lesson for the planning of future online behaviour change studies.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/3/172
spellingShingle Murray Elizabeth
Linke Stuart
Khadjesari Zarnie
Godfrey Christine
O'Donnell Orla
McCambridge Jim
Wallace Paul
How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial
BMC Research Notes
title How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial
title_full How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial
title_fullStr How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial
title_full_unstemmed How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial
title_short How big is the elephant in the room? Estimated and actual IT costs in an online behaviour change trial
title_sort how big is the elephant in the room estimated and actual it costs in an online behaviour change trial
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/3/172
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