michigan informatics

Introduction

Microsoft Access is a software tool used to create databases for easy organization, access, and sharing of information. Access can create tables of data, run queries about the data, create forms to view data, and generate printable reports all through one interface. Access also can compare data using relationships between the data stored in the individual tables. Access’s ability to support a wide variety of data file types allows for straightforward importing and exporting of data from other files, programs, and throughout a network. Access provides a single, easy to use program for data organization and management.

Uses for a database program in the public health world:

• Public health registries
• Reporting data
• Disease and injury surveillance

This tutorial provides a basic level introduction to Microsoft Access.

Learning Objectives

Participants in this tutorial will be able to:

• Define and state uses for relational databases
• Create and modify a simple relational database including
  • designing tables
  • defining relationships between tables
  • build a basic query
  • design a basic form to input data
  • create and run standard reports

Supported Competencies

Reference: Developed by The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice.

• Analytic/Assessment Skills
  • Applies data collection processes, information technology applications, and computer systems storage/retrieval strategies
• Communication Skills
  • Effectively presents accurate demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific information for professional and lay audiences