Website & App Design

Data Entry System Provides Central Repository for Training Materials

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:28:01 +0000

Data Entry System Provides Central Repository for Training Materials

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:28

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) needed a web-based system for WTP grantees across the country to enter and retrieve their individual, program-related training data. This data entry system also had to integrate with the existing National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training (Clearinghouse).

The solution: MDB staff designed, developed, implemented, maintains, and provides technical and user support for the NIEHS WTP Curricula Information and Data Management System (DMS). The DMS was designed to work with the Clearinghouse website as a complete system for entering, storing, retrieving, searching for, and disseminating data, information, and training materials about hazardous waste worker training.

During the design phase of the system, MDB staff worked with both WTP staff and grantees to conduct a thorough evaluation of the previous system, uncover detailed requirements for both immediate and future functionality, and develop prototypes to simulate the system’s “look and feel.”

Notable outcomes: The DMS currently contains information on the more than 279,000 training courses conducted by WTP grantees. This information provides the basis for congressional data calls and justifications, data analysis and evaluation projects, State Profiles, and WTP Program summaries, and, most importantly, tells the story of the history, growth, and impact of the Worker Training Program.

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Grant Coding Database Supports Research Program’s Mission

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:27:06 +0000

Grant Coding Database Supports Research Program’s Mission

Database Management

Environmental Science

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:27

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT) frequently needs accurate, detailed information on the research they fund. This information allows NIEHS staff to provide scientists, community members, and decision makers a snapshot of their research, as well as identify gaps and strengths in the institute’s research portfolio.

The solution: MDB worked with DERT’s Program Analysis Branch to develop the Grant Coding Database (GCDB) to categorize and store details about each funded grant. Our information specialists collaborated with DERT staff to define key ideas and develop structured terms that describe scientific and programmatic details, including how the grants fit into the NIEHS Strategic Plan. These terms were used to tag each NIEHS-funded grant for categories related to experimental methods, chemical exposures, and health outcomes. MDB also developed a relational database on the Oracle platform with an attractive, simple user interface, that allows users to pull customized reports with specific criteria. Finally, we wrote specialized database queries to check for consistency as part of the quality control process.

Notable outcomes: Over 7 years, MDB scientific information specialists coded nearly 5,000 NIEHS grants. We leveraged the database to help DERT answer specific questions about its funded research and generated eye-catching data visualizations. Our grant coding information was used extensively by DERT staff for internal program evaluation and presentations. Our resulting grant portfolios and visualizations were also used by DERT staff to produce concept clearance presentations for National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council meetings, and to brief members of Congress on specific scientific issues.

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Developing User-Friendly Search Tool for Superfund Research Program Website

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:23:46 +0000

Developing User-Friendly Search Tool for Superfund Research Program Website

Communication & Outreach

Database Management

Environmental Science

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:23

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) needed an intuitive, user-friendly web tool to quickly find SRP-funded research projects on specific topics.

The solution: MDB leveraged detailed SRP project data stored in the NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training Grant Coding System (GCDB). to design and build a faceted search tool that allows users to apply one or more filters (e.g., chemicals studied, health outcomes) to locate relevant SRP projects. MDB developed a strategy to import SRP project data from the GCDB, modify the data to map to plain-language filter terms on the search tool, and store the modified data in the SRP database. Our experience with scientific terms and categorization, as well as familiarity with the SRP data, were critical in creating this useful search tool.

The SRP website faceted search tool has provided an intuitive, simple way to search for and find information about SRP projects. It also has facilitated collaboration and information sharing among researchers with similar interests.

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Supporting K-12 Data Managers at the Annual Data Conference

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:39:26 +0000

Supporting K-12 Data Managers at the Annual Data Conference

Events

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:39

The ask: The U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics needed support hosting its 2021 National Forum on Education Statistics and NCES STATS-DC Data Conference, a six-day in-person and a five-day virtual event expected to draw thousands of attendees.

The solution: MDB provided a comprehensive suite of services before, during, and after the event. Specifically, we:

Secured hotel lodging and meeting rooms;
Guided production of the conference agenda;
Developed a website with conference details;
Provided travel support;
Coordinated meeting room setup and audiovisual services;
Conducted a speaker training and served as primary point of contact for hundreds of speakers;
Designed all conference materials (e.g., nametags, name tents, signage, web banners), including a 60-page electronic meeting program;
Updated conference mobile app;
Posted Section 508-compliant presentations to conference website;
Provided on-site support;
Created a meeting evaluation and analyzed the results.

Notable outcome: In 2021, MDB created the STATS-DC event website and virtual meeting platform. This site housed a conference overview, welcome video, agenda-at-a-glance, session descriptions, speaker bios and photos, virtual posters, virtual exhibitors, and FAQ information.

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