Yurii V. Kornilev & Davidson College herpetology laboratory
Note: To protect the data, the real websites are not publicly accessible. A short explanation and screenshots are used to demonstrate the Online Entry.
If you are interested in implementing this system in your lab, contact me for more details via email (YuKornilev_AT_ Gmail_DOT_com).
Traditionally, data from processed animals in most labs had been recorded initially on paper, and sometimes later transferred to some sort of digital storage. However, several major problems exist:
- utilizes extra technician's time
- leads to mistakes during entry/transfer
- makes it difficult to quickly have a look at most recent data
- data are difficult to share and are prone to be lost in case the one hardcopy disappears
In 2004—2005, I developed two similar flexible online entry/display systems for processing snakes and turtles in the Davidson herpetology laboratory of Dr. Mike Dorcas.
- datum entry is performed only once, with extensive use of drop-down menus with fixed values and with added verification after entry, to minimize erroneous entry of data
- data can be accessible online, with added security that enables only authorized people to view/edit the data (that is why I am providing only screen shots)
- search/display of existing data is flexible, quick, and helps verify new data entries
- computer storage enables easy backup
- implements a help system to further aid in data entry (red "?" provide quick help tips when mouse hovered over them; numerous links to other online resources)
- incorporates a UTM coordinate finder using satellite images
- actively generates links to each turtle's carapace/plastron images
Turtle entry:
Initial screen: Choose a species and enter precise code (or part of it) to view all relevant results. Use "Enter unmarked" for quickly entering a new individual.
Main entry/display page: Top part provides all fields for data entry; bottom part displays information for comparison (in this case for Terrapene carolina with codes A_W).
Used Codes: Displays used codes for species: in this case Terrapene carolina with codes A_W
Snake entry:
Initial screen: Choose a species and enter PIT-tag number to view results. Use "Enter Data" for quick entry of an individual.
Main entry/display page: Top part provides all fields for data entry; bottom part displays information for comparison (in this case for Elaphe obsoleta).