The Problem
A quality database development company can look at the needs of a client and create a system that streamlines the operation process and increases productivity for the company. That’s exactly what UGIG needed when they came up with the idea for a research database.
Many scientific studies require volunteers to participate in surveys and questionnaires. However, a lot of time can be wasted chasing down and vetting leads for these surveys. Not every volunteer will qualify for the study. UGIG saw the need for a way to filter through willing participants, and contact them when a new study came about that they qualified for.
They needed a system that was easy to use and would encourage participation from a wider range of volunteers This is the point where UGIG reached out to IdeaMaker to discuss their specific database needs and brainstorm solutions.
Our Solution
The Idea Maker team jumped on the challenge presented by the UGIG situation. They worked together discussing the goals that UGIG had for the industry, and how they would prefer to see the solution come to fruition. It was decided that a multi-sides database would be the most comprehensive and inclusive option for users of all technology comfort levels.
Custom Database Development Company
Idea Maker specializes in software development, so coming into this project, they were looking at options for a custom-designed program for UGIG to use. So often, our clients have already searched the far reaches of the web to find an option before pursuing customization. By deciding on a custom-built database program, UGIG had direct input in how the program would work, look, and function. Plus they could brand it to fit the current marketing aesthetic, rather than working from a generic base.
What We Did
Separate Dashboards
Both the volunteers and the researchers needed their own distinct dashboards. The researchers are able to pay for the service and set up the pre-screen questions for their research surveys and administer the survey without close contact with the volunteer. Further, the volunteer can fill out their profile from their own dashboard and get a flag for any survey they may qualify for after pre-screening.
Focus on User Experience
Creating a beautiful and functional database program meant creating a platform that was easy to use and lacked the intimidation of many similar programs. The final product created by IdeaMaker for UGIG combines the simplicity of a beautiful and functional website with the back-office data collection options for the researchers to use. The final iteration of the project looked and functioned more like an interactive website than a sterile questionnaire database. The experience of both volunteers and researchers is the driving force behind the success of this project design.
Integrated Survey System
Instead of using UGIG as a filtering system, which is how many similar websites operate, researchers could administer the surveys through database programming, reducing the steps to gather and analyze the data collected. Further, by taking at least part of the human element out of the interview process, there is less chance for skewing the data through bias or external judgment.
The surveys collected for each research project are given the same way to every participant, and the data is entered into the system without human interference. When data is pure and unaltered by external experiences, you can rest assured the information is more accurate than that collected in a person-to-person interview.
