The nine data types used in web forms
| Data types | Example of use |
|---|---|
| Text | To capture the email address of the auditor or a clinic name |
| Paragraph text | For comments about the audit, or a description of a clinic protocol |
| Multiple choice | Recording the gender of the patient (only one response is possible) |
| Checkboxes | Collecting data on previous history of sexually transmitted infections or contraception (multiple responses are possible) |
| Choose from a list | Capturing the ethnic group or sexuality of the patient (this prevents typographical errors) |
| Scale | To ask questions on a sliding scale (0–10): for example, ‘Would you recommend the service to a friend?’ |
| Grid | A question can be structured by columns and rows: for example, partner number and condom use |
| Date | To capture the date of last sexual intercourse, or the first day of the last menstrual period |
| Time | To record the time between last unprotected sex and first dose of postexposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure to HIV |