MCHP responded to this challenge by developing several web-based research resources to document methodological and analytical techniques.

• Concept Dictionary - provides detailed information about various issues - concepts - associated with doing research that uses administrative databases. The Concept Dictionary is divided into several areas:

• Glossary - gives brief definitions of frequently used terms in MCHP reports and papers.

• Medical/Research Definitions - define codes for common procedures, tests, and diagnoses.

• Research Protocol - provides a methodological checklist or template for doing research, addressing major issues such as how to count different types of occurrences, thereby reducing inconsistencies.

• Project Webpages - facilitate management and documentation of study information; internal access only.

In keeping with the nature of the Internet, the content and format of these tools are dynamic and they expand as working knowledge requires documentation.^{5,
6, 7} Reciprocal links facilitate cross-referencing among the tools. Varying levels of public access have been established for each tool.

Each of these resources will be described in detail.