2 Input Field Guide
Entering Data
There are several sections to enter information on your trial, such as the general features of the trial being modelled, the activity modules involved in the trial and participant and staff travel. Where you do not have detailed data available, default values are available in the calculator. The level of detail of data entered is up to you: it can be quick and broad, or more detailed and so more accurate.
You may find it easier to look at the questions and categories initially, locate the information for your trial then enter the relevant figures from your records.
Whenever you complete a section and move to the next, the calculator will save your entered data in your computer’s browser cache (a temporary copy) so you can return at a later stage to add more information.
For a simple high-level appraisal, the minimum data requirement is to know how many times each module component is present for the participants within your specific trial and the management resources assigned to its delivery. Even if no additional information is available, you can use our reference activity data to gain an estimated carbon footprint for your trial. Any additional data you do have will add further granularity to the process and enable you to gain a more detailed understanding of areas where meaningful change can be made.
If you do not have data for a particular section of the calculator or it isn’t applicable to your trial, simply select ‘no’ and move on to the next relevant section
Entering Data as Spending
Some sections allow you to enter data as spending (in USD, GBP or EUR) instead of physical units. This is an alternative way to enter data if you do not have the physical units available, but do have the financial data. The calculator will convert this spending into physical units using a conversion factor based on the average carbon intensity of the relevant activity. This is a less accurate method than entering physical units, as it relies on an average carbon intensity which may not reflect the specific circumstances of your trial, but it can still provide a useful estimate of the carbon footprint.
We recommend that you enter physical units where possible, as this will provide a more accurate estimate of the carbon footprint. However, if you do not have physical units available, entering spending can still provide a useful estimate of the carbon footprint of your trial.