The overall objective for using the CONX data was to measure the effect of the use of mobile technologies on CPS work practices by using data from the central database. The CONNECTIONS dataset (i.e., the central database) contained information on case records and caseworkers’ progress notes. The information contained within each of these records include: Stage ID, time-related information the investigation stage (Intake Start Date, Investigation Stage Start Date, Investigation Stage End Date, progress notes information (Progress Notes ID, Progress Notes Event Date, Progress Notes Time, Progress Notes Entry Date, Progress Notes Types, Progress Notes Purposes) safety assessments (Safety Submit Date, Safety Approval Date) logged by caseworkers (Person ID), and districts (District Name). The CONNECTIONS data included progress notes entered April 30th 2007 and October 19th 2007. The data used during this phase of the study included 38,392 entries within 2,402 unique Investigation Stages, from 135 caseworkers. The data was used to compare two time periods: a pre-pilot period (April 29th 2007 – July 21st 2007) and pilot period (July 29th 2007 – October 19th 2007).

A total of 91 cases that were closed between July 22nd 2007 and July 28th 2007 were excluded from the analyses. These cases fell into a period between the end of the pre-pilot and start of the pilot. In addition, there were 43 entries that took place after October 20th 2007 that were not included in the analyses. These entries were created after the end of the pilot period. Finally the data were checked for consistency, and only one entry was deleted as it was for an entry date prior to the actual event date.