Longitudinal projects and other large surveys generate large, complex data files on thousands of persons that researchers must effectively manage. The preferred data management strategy for such large, complex survey research projects is an integrated database facility built around modern relational databases. If one is dealing with a relatively small, simple questionnaire, many carefully implemented methods for data collection and data management will work. What needs to be done for technologically complex surveys touches upon all the considerations that can be given to less complex survey data sets.

As the scale, scope, and complexity of a survey project grow, researchers need to plan carefully for the questionnaire, how the survey collects the data, the management of the data it produces, and making the resultant data readily ...