Considerations for computerized in situ data collection platforms

Computerized tools for in-situ data collection from study participants have proven invaluable in many diverse fields. The platforms developed within academic settings, eventually tend to find themselves abandoned and obsolete. Newer tools are susceptible to meeting a similar fate. We believe this is because, although most of the tools try to satisfy the same functional requirements, little attention has been paid to their development models also keeping in line. In this paper we propose an architectural model, which satisfies established requirements and also promotes extensibility, interoperability and cross-platform functionality between tools. In doing so, we aim to introduce development considerations into the larger discussion on the design of such platforms.