A generic schema and data collection forms applicable to diverse entomological studies of mosquitoes

Abstract

Background: Standardized schemas, databases, and public data repositories are needed for the studies of malaria vectors that encompass a remarkably diverse array of designs and rapidly generate large data volumes, often in resource-limited tropical settings lacking specialized software or informatics support.

Results: Data from the majority of mosquito studies conformed to a generic schema, with data collection forms recording the experimental design, sorting of collections, details of sample pooling or subdivision, and additional observations. Generically applicable forms with standardized attribute definitions enabled rigorous, consistent data and sample management with generic software and minimal expertise. Forms use now includes 20 experiments, 8 projects, and 15 users at 3 research and control institutes in 3 African countries, resulting in 11 peer-reviewed publications.

Conclusion: We have designed generic data schema that can be used to develop paper or electronic based data collection forms depending on the availability of resources. We have developed paper-based data collection forms that can be used to collect data from majority of entomological studies across multiple study areas using standardized data formats. Data recorded on these forms with standardized formats can be entered and linked with any relational database software. These informatics tools are recommended because they ensure that medical entomologists save time, improve data quality, and data collected and shared across multiple studies is in standardized formats hence increasing research outputs.

Fig. 1

Data collection is based on a simple foundation of recording the experimental design followed by sample processing. Sample processing (dashed boxes) involves the sorting and observation of mosquito samples. As mosquito biology experiments are highly variable in structure, there are many possible ways in which to move between the generic schemas. The arrows indicate the direction and function (e.g., one-to-many: 1…n) of the relationships between the entities

Fig. 2

The generalised structure that was used as the foundation for designing each of the data collection form. This figure presents a generic structure used to design each of the data collection form. The top rows record information that uniquely identifies each form, central grid records the actual data and observations under each attributes. To preserve the integrity of the data, managing responsible personnel, and facilitating external audits both the supervisor and the responsible personnel can initial and sign the bottom section of the form

Fig. 3

Systematic labelling of collection cups and mosquito samples. The cups containing each mosquito collection are labelled clearly and meaningfully to uniquely identify each cup at each experimental time point (e.g., household number, time and trap type) (a) and then placed in a container (b). Mosquitoes are sorted and placed in a tube which is identified uniquely by combining sorting form type, form serial number, form row, body form (to distinguish intact from carcass samples) sample type (to distinguish individuals, batches and pools) and sample identifier (to distinguish distinct samples of a single type) (c). Labelled tubes with samples are then placed inside a storage box along with the SO form (d)