Key FAQs:
Having trouble getting your software to do exactly what you wait it to do? Check
out our Frequently Asked Questions Section for more information or click on one
of these topics to get specific information.
Key Updates:
Do you have the latest version of CERTAS? Check here for new updates to download
free of charge.
Do you have the latest version of the Palm software? If not, click here to be re-directed
to www.Palm.com for the latest software update.
Contact Us:
If you find you are having trouble after reviewing all the provided information
and prefer to speak with an associate, please feel free to call us at 703-766-1400
or feel free to
send us an email.
FAQs:
Getting Started:
- How can the CERTAS program help me with my research?
CERTAS is a program that facilitates the design and implementation of remote, electronic
data collection protocols. The system is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a
wide range of research disciplines; it can be thought of as protocol “building blocks”
that allow data collection questionnaires to take any shape a user requires. It
is especially useful for researchers who may have less experience with computer
programming because it easily guides them through the process of creating technically
sophisticated methods of accurately collecting subject data in real time. CERTAS
does this in a Windows®- based format that is both intuitive and familiar for anyone
who uses a PC. Finally, it allows a cost-effective way to implement many protocols
at once, or serially revise or switch protocols as new studies or research goals
arise. The hardware (i.e., one Palm Pilot for each subject involved concurrently,
plus one desktop computer) is all that is needed for an unlimited number of research
paradigms.
- Once I have the CERTAS CD-ROM, how do I get started?
CERTAS is compatible with any computer using Windows®. To begin, simply insert the
CD-ROM into the CD drive on your PC. The setup will begin automatically. All you
need to do is follow the simple instructions, such as clicking “next” when indicated.
Once installed, the CERTAS program will appear as an icon on your desktop that you
can double-click to open, just as you would any other Windows®-based program. (Should
you ever wish to remove the CERTAS program, you can go to your computer’s control
panel and delete it by going through the “un-install” process).
- What is a license key and why do I need one to use the CERTAS program?
A specific alpha-numeric code, called a license key, is needed to access the CERTAS
program. This is done for security purposes, to prevent illegal distribution and
use of the product. Since you will be issued a license key directly from the CERTAS
developers, you can be assured that you have a legitimate, uncorrupted version of
the software. After you insert the CD to begin the setup, you will see a screen
that asks you to enter a license key. Above the license key field, you will see
text providing your 16-character machine ID (e.g. “Machine ID = nj3jb48andl983n)
Every computer will generate a different machine ID when the CERTAS software is
loaded. You need to copy this machine ID and email it . Your license key, which
will be a sequence of about 31 letters and numbers, will be emailed back to you
within one business day (i.e., Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM EST) It is
easiest to copy the sequence from the email to your clipboard, and then paste it
into the appropriate field on the start-up screen. The license key you receive will
allow you to use CERTAS on the computer from which the machine ID was generated.
In other words, license keys are computer-specific, so you will only be able to
use the CERTAS software on the computer onto which CERTAS was originally loaded.
In order to be able to use it on another computer, you will need to have another
license key issued to you.
DESKTOP BASICS:
- What is the difference between the Wizard and the Visual Designer, and how do I
know which one I should use?
The Wizard and the Visual Designer both provide you with a way to design your questionnaire.
Once you open and name a blank field protocol file so that you can start designing
a questionnaire, you will be given the option of do so using the Wizard or the Visual
Designer. Most people feel that the Wizard is somewhat easier to use and more straightforward
at the beginning, when you are still learning how to use CERTAS. It is similar to
Wizards used with other Windows®- based software, such as MS Word® or MS Access®.
The Wizard provides more guidance and asks you to make choices regarding the nature
and structure of your protocol at each step of the process. It will then put your
completed protocol together for you.
The Visual Designer allows you a bit more freedom and flexibility in designing your
questionnaire. You are in charge of building the protocol from scratch by clicking
and dragging icons for each piece of the protocol from the “item palette” into a
“design window” where a virtual map will show the logical flow of your questionnaire.
This method of designing the protocol is a bit easier if you plan to use more complicated
branching parameters. (Please note if you start out using the Wizard to design your
questionnaire: once you indicate that you have completed designing your questionnaire
by clicking on “Finish,” you will see your completed questionnaire in the Visual
Designer format. You will need to use the Visual Designer to make any subsequent
changes or corrections to your questionnaire).
- When I am using the Visual Designer, how can I make the arrows line up and connect
with the item boxes the way I want them to?
The key to using the arrows in the Visual Designer mode is watch the color of the
arrows. A black arrow coming from an icon means that it is properly linked to the
next icon/question in the sequence. A red arrow coming from an icon means that it
is NOT linked to anything, and represents a break in the sequence. It is important
for all the arrows to be black in order for the protocol to flow properly. If you
have a red arrow, simply click the mouse on the pointed end/head of that arrow and
drag the arrow over to the item that should be linked next in the sequence. Once
the arrow touches this item, it will turn black. (You can also use this technique
to rearrange the order of items in the protocol. Simply drag the item to the place
where you want to insert it into the sequence, and then reconnect the arrows to
that all the items line up in the proper manner). When you are using the branching
feature, you will see two arrows coming out of the same icon. When setting up a
branched item, you will can decide what the next step in the protocol will be based
on the response the subject gives. Just link this next icon up to the appropriate
arrow, and make sure it turns black.
- How can I go back and make changes or corrections while I am designing my questionnaire?
It is very easy to make changes or corrections to parts of your questionnaire that
you have already designed. Things you may want to do to revise your questionnaire
include adding items, deleting items, moving items, and editing existing items.
If you are designing your questionnaire using the Wizard and want to make such changes,
simply click on the appropriate buttons provided (such as back, next, delete, etc.)
and make whatever changes you desire in the various fields defining each item. Use
the following techniques to make changes when using the Visual Designer:
- Add an item: Select the item you wish to add from the item palette, and drag it
down to the designer window. Move the icon to the place where you want to insert
it into your questionnaire. Click on the arrow extending out of the item immediately
preceding the one you just added, and move it over to the new item so that it turns
black and indicates the proper order. Click on the arrow extending out of the newly
added item, and line it up with the item you wish to immediately follow, so that
this arrow turns black as well.
- Delete an item: To delete an item, single-click on the item, and then either touch
the delete key on the keyboard, or, from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen,
select edit, then delete. The selected item will disappear, and the arrow extending
from item immediately preceding will turn red. Connect that arrow to the next item
in the sequence so that it turns black.
- Moving an item: There are two ways to move an item to another location in the questionnaire
(i.e., to change the order of the items). One way is to simply click and drag the
item to the desired location and then line the arrows up to they are all black,
and indicate the appropriate order. You can also click on the item you wish to move,
cut it to the clipboard by clicking on the scissors icon at the top of the screen,
and then paste it (using the clipboard icon at the top of the screen) into the appropriate
location. Again, you will need to adjust the arrows so that they represent the proper
sequence.
- Editing an existing item: In order to make changes to one of the items in your questionnaire,
simply double-click on the item. The fields for the various parameters which define/describe
that item will appear below the designer window. Make any changes you desire, and
then click inside the designer window to exit (or double click on another item if
you wish to make additional changes). Please note that if you add branching to an
item that was not previously branched, you will need to make sure that each new
branch is connected to a subsequent item, and that all the branches line up properly
(i.e., turn black).
**It is important to check all arrows after you make any changes in your questionnaire
to make sure they are black and flow in the proper direction. It will be helpful
to use the validation tool (see next question) to make sure there are no problems
with your questionnaire.
- Help! I can’t see the entire screen. What happened to the rest of my questionnaire?
This might seem like a basic issue, but it can be frustrating for some users if
they are unable to view portions of the screen as they are navigating the CERTAS
program. There are several ways to address this problem, based on the fact that
the CERTAS screen operates by the same rules as other Windows®-based programs. The
first thing to do is to make sure the primary CERTAS window is maximized (by clicking
on the maximization box in the top, right-hand side of the window). Also, remember
that you can scroll vertically to see the bottom of the window using the scroll
bar on the right-hand side of the screen. Likewise, you can scroll horizontally
by moving the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen to the right. Horizontal scrolling
is especially important when designing a questionnaire using the Visual Designer
because the “map” of your protocol will extend to the right, past the visible edge
of the screen. Finally, some components of the CERTAS program launch by opening
a new window. You may need to adjust the location of the pop-up window on the screen
by clicking on the blue bar at the drop of the window, and dragging it until you
can see everything you need.
- What do I do if the Validation feature tells me something is wrong with my questionnaire?
The validation tool automatically checks your questionnaire to see if there are
any errors or warnings. Errors refer to problems in the logic or structure of your
questionnaire that will result in it failing to execute properly (e.g., red arrows
indicating a broken sequence in the questionnaire or failing to add answer choices
to a multiple choice item). Errors must be corrected in order for your questionnaire
to function. Warnings are elements of your questionnaire which may be undesired
or problematic, but which will not prevent the questionnaire from executing (e.g.,
failing to add text describing an item). The validation feature will open a new
window presenting you with a list and brief description of all the errors and warnings
found in your questionnaire.
QUESTIONNAIRE CREATION SPECIFICS:
- What are “Alert Types” or how do I design my questionnaire if I want it to “launch”
when the subjects/patient initiates it, instead of a designated time?
Alert types refer to the way you choose to schedule your questionnaire to be delivered
to the subject. “Alert” refers to the alarm which will sound indicating to the Palm
user that are to complete the questionnaire at that time. You have four options
for this:
- No Alert/User Initiated: This option allows the subject to start the questionnaire
at any time. This can be used if the questionnaire is event-contingent (e.g., should
be completed whenever the subject lights a cigarette, or wakes up in the morning).
- Scheduled: Scheduled questionnaires are launched at an exact time of day on whichever
day(s) of the week you specify, depending on when you want the subject to complete
the questionnaire. You can choose as many days or times as you wish.
- Fixed Interval: You can choose how frequently you wish the subject to complete the
questionnaire by selecting a fixed interval between each alert. You can set limits
on this interval scheduling by designating that the alerts should only occur on
certain days of the week, or between certain hours of the day.
- Random Interval: Similar to fixed interval except that the interval between alerts
is determined randomly by the program. In addition to the scheduling limits you
can set for the fixed interval alerts (above), you can select a minimum and maximum
length of time for random intervals, as well as a minimum and maximum number of
alerts for a given day.
Once you decide and indicate which of these alerts types you wish to utilize for
your questionnaire, click on the “Set Alerts” button. You will need to set up the
parameters in to determine the days of the week, times of days, and/or limits you
would like to schedule. Simply fill in each of the appropriate fields.
- What are “Item Types?”
“Item Type” refers to the type of question available to add to your protocol. These
define how the data will be asked, entered, and recorded. CERTAS provides the following
Alert Types:
- Binary: only two possible answers (e.g., “yes” or “no”)
- Multiple choice: where the designer designates the text for the responses, as well
as the response value (e.g., “Please enter the choice that best describes your location
right now: 1. Home; 2. Work; 3. Outdoors; 4. Car; 5. Other)
- Numeric: the subject’s response must be in number form, where the designer can set
limits for acceptable responses (e.g., “Please enter the number of cigarettes you
have smoked today.” Limits = min 0, max 100.)
- Integer Scale: the response takes the form of a integer rating, such as a Likert
scale (e.g. “Please rate on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) the severity of the
pain you feel right now.”)
- Visual Analog: allows the subject to move a slider along a horizontal scale with
endpoint labels and values determined by the designer (e.g., “Please slide the arrow
on following scale to indicate your present level of anxiety, with 0 corresponding
to ‘extremely calm’ and 100 corresponding to ‘extremely anxious.’”)
- Time/Date: the subject’s response must be in the form of a time and/or date (i.e.,
Thursday, 3/24/05, 17:34:37)
Although they are not Item Types, when you are using the Visual Designer to design
your questionnaire, you will also see “Text” and “End Node” in your item palette.
Using a Text icon will allow you to insert text (such as information or instructions)
that you want to have the subject read at a certain point in the protocol. An end
node is used to indicate the termination of the protocol.
- What if I can’t fit the labels I want to use for the endpoints on the scale for
a visual analog item type?
If it is necessary to use labels on the scale that are longer than the allowable
number of characters for the endpoints, you could write out the entire label as
part of the text field for that item type. In other words, describe the meaning
of the endpoints as part of the question, where you have a greater amount of space
to include more text. You could then use abbreviations on the actual scale, since
the subject would already know the meaning of the labels.
- Why do some item types have a field for “limits” and what should I do with them?
You may want to designate limits on the range of acceptable responses for some items
in your protocol. If a subject attempts to enter a response outside the acceptable
range, they will be given an error message and asked to re-enter their answer. This
can help preserve the integrity of the data you are collecting by preventing typographical
errors or other mistakes by the subject. (E.g., You will avoid answers such as age
= 253 years, or average # of cigarettes/hour = 60).
DESKTOP ADVANCED:
- How do I make items branch?
All item types EXCEPT Time/Date and Text allow you to use the branching feature
to adapt your questionnaire to the user’s response. This allows your questionnaire
to be more specific and interactive so that you can collect more accurate and sophisticated
data. Depending on the item type involved, you have a great deal of flexibility
in how you set up the branching parameters. To get started using the branching feature,
click on the “Advanced” button in the design window. In the window that pops up,
click on the box next to “Branch to multiple items depending on the user’s response.”
This will allow you to designate the parameters that will lead to specified branches.
Each row of parameters within the branching design chart corresponds to one branch;
when you have set that branch, click on “Add Branch.” Continue this process until
you have set up all the branches you wish to use. You can always eliminate a branch
by clicking the “Delete Branch” button. When you are finished setting up your branching
scenarios, click “OK” to return to the Visual Designer screen. You can now add subsequent
items to link to each of the branches.
- Why would I use the “Autolayout” or “Simulate Questionnaire” features?
As you are designing your questionnaire, especially if you make a lot of changes
or include numerous branched items, you may notice that the map of the questionnaire
appears crooked or confusing on the screen. The Autolayout feature is used to “straighten
it all out” to make the logical flow of your questionnaire clearly indicated. It
will not change anything about the questionnaire except for the way it appears in
the designer window. To use Autolayout, click on “View” at the top of the screen
and select “Autolayout” from the drop-down menu.
When you have completed designing your questionnaire, you can literally test it
on your desktop to see exactly how it will appear as delivered to the subject using
a Palm Pilot. The simulation tool will open a new window on your screen where each
question will be displayed in sequence. You can answer each question to test the
text accuracy, answer choices, branching logic, and response limits. To use the
simulation feature, click on “Tools” at the top of your screen and select “Simulate
Questionnaire” from the drop-down menu. If you only wish to simulate part of your
questionnaire, click on the item in your questionnaire sequence from which you wish
to start the simulation. Select “Simulate from here” from the Tool menu and your
simulator will display your questionnaire from the point you selected.
PROTOCOL AND QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION:
- How does (do) my questionnaire(s) get from the CERTAS desktop designer to my subjects’
Palm Pilots?
This is a relatively simple process. You will need to install a program on your
desktop that will allow your computer to work with (i.e., establish a compatible
interface) the Palm Pilot hardware. This program is included with the Palm Pilot
product. You will then use the HotSync feature and syncing cable on the Palm Pilot
to load your questionnaires onto the subjects’ Palm Pilots. (**Please follow the
detailed instructions on the “Quick Start Guide” to carry out this process). You
can load as many different questionnaires as you wish onto each Palm Pilot.
- How is the collected data stored once subjects are using my questionnaire in the
field?
All subject responses to the questionnaire(s) loaded onto the Palm Pilot are stored
directly in the Palm Pilot memory until the data is uploaded to a desktop database
through the Palm hotsync function. It is important to note that if the Palm Pilot
battery loses its charge, your questionnaire and all subject data will be erased
from the memory. Since it is usually difficult to ensure that all subjects will
keep their Palms charged at all times, it is strongly recommended that a memory
card (inserted into the top card slot on the Palm Pilot) is used to backup the Palm
at regular intervals using an automated backup program. Should the Palm ever lose
battery power, all programs and data can be easily restored from the memory card.
- Can subjects access new questionnaires or upload the data they have entered via
the Internet?
YES! This is one of the biggest advantages to using the type of electronic data
collection that CERTAS provides. As long as the Palm user has Internet access, a
hotsync cable, and has installed the Palm interface program on their own PC, they
can have their Palm Pilot communicate with your website. This means they can upload
stored data from their Palm to your remote database, or they can download programs
or files (e.g., new questionnaires you have created) from your website to their
Palm Pilot. All these functions are executed using the Hotsync feature on the Palm
Pilot.
KEY UPDATES:
Check here for all the latest updates to your current CERTAS software. All updates
can be downloaded for use free of charge.
Please make sure you are currently working with the latest updated version of the
Palm software. If you are not, please click here and you will be re-directed to
www.Palm.com for the latest download.
CONTACT US:
If your troubleshooting efforts do not produce the answer you are looking for, we
are happy to provide personalized technical support. Please
send us an email with as much information as possible so we can properly
assist you. If you would rather speak to a representitive, please call 703-758-1400.
We are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, EST. If you leave a message,
please provide us with as much detail about the problem you are having. One of our
agents will assist you as soon as possible.
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