PRISM Enhancements

News from DRDA-Net

PRISM Enhancements

Date: April 13, 2005
Sent to DRDA-Net by : Dennis Cebulski, Assistant Director, DRDA
Send any comments to: Dennis Cebulski, cebulski@umich.edu

As you will recall, DRDA conducted a survey last year regarding the PRISM database. First I would like to thank all those who participated in this survey. I would also like to share with you a summary of some thoughts expressed in the survey and the resulting actions DRDA has and intends to pursue.

A number of respondents expressed a need to have the ability to download data from PRISM on the Web (POW). We believe that need has been met with a new version of POW. You are all invited to click on the following link to view this enhancement.

http://cgi.research.umich.edu/prism/pow.lasso

In addition to the addition of the ability to download, Quick Lists have been added to search for Direct and Prime sponsors resulting in easier searching on these elements. These enhancements were based on the Survey comments.

Several responses indicated a need to link PRISM data with other databases. Several linkages have already been identified. First among these links was the need to join information from Financials, we are beginning to develop this linkage. In order for DRDA to more fully respond to this need we need additional information relative to the specific needs of users so appropriate linkages can be constructed in predefined queries. If there are very specific data elements you would like displayed in a report that contains both PRISM and Financials, HR, and/or Space data, please email them to me. We will begin working to establish these linkages and announce when the predefined queries are available for your use and feedback. Your feedback should be submitted within the next week to 10 days.

A number of responses indicated the need for queries displaying project grant numbers along with the committed budgets. Users also indicated a desire to have only the active budgets displayed rather than all budgets processed. I am pleased to announce this request has been addressed by developing four new predefined queries. These new queries have been submitted to MAIS for final approval and we anticipate they will be uploaded in the next one to two weeks. Detailed descriptions are attached to this e-mail and will appear on the web site once we have final approval from MAIS.

Some PRISM users found the data invaluable in performing their responsibilities. Others felt the data were unreliable and inaccurate. We have deep concern with comments relative to data integrity. When this perception has been examined in the past we often find the data are being misinterpreted, or the search query was improperly constructed. However we want to reassure ourselves and the user community that PRISM data is accurate. As a result I am requesting any users that find data they believe are incorrect to please forward the specific problem and/or examples to us so we can determine where the problem lies.

The PRISM Survey also provided users with an opportunity to request training in using PRISM. A number of users were contacted and several training sessions were held. Unfortunately there were some users that wanted training who did not provide us with their contact information. If there are users that still would like PRISM training, please contact us and we will schedule additional sessions.

A special email address has been established to facilitate any questions, comments, etc relative to PRISM. The address is:
prism-support@umich.edu

Of course you may still choose to email myself at cebulski@umich.edu or Jean Bis at jeanbis@umich.edu.

Finally a note about eResearch; under the leadership of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Michigan Administrative Information Services (MAIS), the MPRIME team has implemented a web-based system, called eResearch, for the centralization of the research review and approval process for human subjects research. Work will soon begin the next phase, which will enhance the electronic completion of the current ePAF and its eventual electronic routing and approval. This effort will eventually enhance PRISM usability and timeliness. You are invited to bookmark the following web site to monitor our progress in this phase of eResearch, http://eresearch.umich.edu/

Updates will be mailed to the user community as we continue with PRISM enhancements. You are encouraged to keep us informed of any issues or needs important to you.

-Dennis

Dennis J. Cebulski
Assistant Director
Division of Research Development and Administration
University of Michigan PHONE: 734-764-7232 FAX: 734-764-8510
E-MAIL: cebulski@umich.edu

http://cgi.research.umich.edu/prism/pow.lasso Any questions regarding PRISM should be directed to Dennis J. Cebulski, cebulski@umich.edu 764-7232.