Data Collection Tools and Resources

This section includes data collection tools and resources that can be used to educate and train staff and volunteers involved in collecting data. Training data collectors is important to ensure that all questions on surveys and measurements will be collected and reported in the same manner. Training data collectors in the same manner results in a greater likelihood that the data gathered is reliable and will better describe the outcomes of your initiatives.

 Blood Pressure Resources:

• Blood Pressure Training Skill Session
  • Use this tool after training data collectors to provide guidance and feedback on how to collect blood pressure accurately.
• Blood Pressure Checklist
  
  • This is a fidelity checklist that should be followed to ensure blood pressure is taken accurately.
• Blood Pressure One Pager
  
  • This resource explains:
    • why blood pressure measurement is important;
    • how to measure blood pressure;
    • recommendations for the most accurate measurement; and
    • what dietary and lifestyle behaviors can affect blood pressure measurement.

Height and Weight Resources:

• Height and Weight Training Skill Session
  • Use this tool after training data collectors to provide guidance and feedback on how to collect height and weight measurements accurately.
• Height Checklist
  • This is a fidelity checklist that should be followed to ensure height measurements are taken accurately.
• Weight Checklist
  • This is a fidelity checklist that should be followed to ensure weight measurements are taken accurately.
• Measuring Height Using Arm Span and Knee Height
  
  • This resource explains:
    • why height data collection is important;
    • how to measure someone's height and weight using arm span and knee height; and
    • what can affect height and weight measurements.
• Measuring Height and Weight Using Scales and Headboards
  
  • This resource explains:
    • why height and weight data collection is important;
    • how to measure someone's height and weight using scales and headboards;
    • recommendations for most accurate measurements; and 
    • what can affect height and weight measurements.

Resting Heart Rate Resources:

• Resting Heart Rate Training Skills Session
  • Use this tool after training data collectors to provide guidance and feedback on how to collect resting heart rate measurements accurately.
• Resting Heart Rate Checklist
  
  • This is a fidelity checklist that should be followed to ensure resting heart rate measurements are taken accurately.
• Resting Heart Rate One Pager
  • This resource explains:
    • why resting heart rate data collection is important;
    • how to measure resting heart rate;
    • recommendations for most accurate measurement; and
    • what can affect resting heart rate measurements.

Lifestyle Survey Resources:

• Lifestyle Survey
  
  • The Lifestyle Survey includes demographic, exercise, goal and healthy/unhealthy eating habits questions.

• Tips for Lifestyle Survey
  
  • This info sheet provides tips on how to effectively administrer the survey to each Athlete in order to gather the best information,
• Lifestyle Survey Follow-Up Questions Handout
  
  • This resource provides alternative ways to ask questions on the lifestyle survey.
• Images for Lifestyle Survey
  
  • These documents feature a variety of images that can be used as visual prompts when collecting data for the Lifestyle Survey.

General Resources:

• Data Collection Handout for Coaches
  
  • This handout is intended for coaches and explains why data collection at the programmatic level is important, how data can be used and why it all matters for coaches.
• Special Olympics Athletes Flyer
  • This flyer can be used as a conversation starter with athletes to explain what data collection is, what information will be collected, why it matters to Special Olympics, and how they can assist in the data collection process.