Wilson, Jeffrey S. (Jeffrey Scott), 1967-Severns, Christopher RayJohnson, Daniel P. (Daniel Patrick), 1971-Martin, Pamela A.2014-01-162014-01-162014-01-16https://hdl.handle.net/1805/3841http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/776Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Identifying spatial and temporal patterns of disease occurrence by mapping the residential locations of affected people can provide information that informs response by public health practitioners and improves understanding in epidemiological research. A common method of locating patients at the individual level is geocoding residential addresses stored in electronic medical records (EMRs) using address matching procedures in a geographic information system (GIS). While the process of geocoding is becoming more common in public health studies, few researchers take the time to examine the effects of using different address databases on match rate and positional accuracy of the geocoded results. This research examined and compared accuracy and match rate resulting from four commonly-used geocoding databases applied to sample of 59,341 subjects residing in and around Marion County/ Indianapolis, IN. The results are intended to inform researchers on the benefits and downsides to their selection of a database to geocode patient addresses in EMRs.en-USGISGeocodeGeographic information systems -- Research -- Methodology -- EvaluationEpidemiology -- Mathematical models -- MethodologyGeodatabases -- ResearchSpatial analysis (Statistics)Public health surveillance -- Indiana -- Statistical methodsMedical records -- Data processing -- Research -- Indiana -- Marion CountyMedical records -- Data processing -- Research -- Indiana -- IndianapolisGeographical location codes -- Data processingGraphical user interfaces (Computer systems) -- Indiana -- IndianapolisGraphical user interfaces (Computer systems) -- Indiana -- Marion CountyDigital mapping -- SoftwareIndiana Network for Patient CareStreets -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- Maps -- DatabasesStreets -- Indiana -- Marion County -- Maps -- DatabasesUnited States. Bureau of the Census. Data User Services DivisionIndianapolis (Ind.). Department of Metropolitan DevelopmentEnvironmental Systems Research Institute (Redlands, Calif.)Thesis