REDCAPRESEARCH ELECTRONIC DATA CAPTUREAmy Wahlquist

February 2, 2012

GETTING STARTED

https://redcap.musc.edu Login with NetID and password Welcome screen

Home My Projects – list of all projects you currently have access to Create New Project Training Resources – videos Help and FAQ Send-It – Secure data transfer application

CREATING A NEW DATABASE

Project title Purpose

If you choose research, then you need PI name, IRB number, type of research None is required, but helpful to have all information

If you choose other, then give description Type of project

Survey – allows you or participants to enter data (one time/person)

Data entry forms (classic or longitudinal) Survey and data entry forms

DATABASE INFORMATION Project Home

Check data quality (once data is collected) Current users Project statistics

Project Setup Current status Settings – change type/purpose and customizations **Design/data dictionary** Links/user rights/share instruments Change status/draft mode

Other Functionality Revision History Copy/delete/erase data/archive database

Menu (on left) Data entry forms Applications Help

CREATING FORMS

Demographics form created automatically Can modify or delete

**1st variable on 1st form is the unique identifier for database**

Add forms/variables as needed Variable names must be unique – not case sensitive Variable labels can be reused (not always recommended) Form must have at least one variable to be saved

FIELD TYPES Text box

Used for all “free” entry including strings, numerics, dates Notes box – no default validation, bad for analysis Calculated field

Must provide equation for calculation Use previously defined variables or constants

Multiple choice – only one answer Radio buttons Drop down list

Checkboxes (more than one answer) – REDCap creates dummy variables for you Yes/No True/False Slider/Visual Analog Scale File upload Descriptive text Section header (must have at least one variable after header before section can be

added) *not an option for the first variable on a form

VALIDATION (TEXT BOX) Date

Validation (date) allows for calendar to pop up and makes sure date is entered in usable format Use pop up calendar to choose date or enter with keyboard Different date format options

If possibility for missing information (e.g., day), consider entering day, month, and year separately instead of date

Number/Integer Add ranges - warns if outside range, but still allows it

Others Date/time Date/time with seconds Email Phone Time Zip

FIELD OPTIONS

“Identifier” – tags variables with protected health information for exporting de-identified data (dates are automatically tagged)

“Required” – prompts data entry person not to leave something missing, but does not actually “require” it

BRANCHING LOGIC

For fields that should only be asked at certain times Convenience to data entry person No difference in branching missing vs. left intentionally

blank Advanced vs. Drag-N-Drop Branching can use variables from separate forms (*NEW

feature*)

TIPS WHEN CREATING FORMS Drag and drop to reorder Copy/edit to make quick copies of similar variables

Note that when “copy” is used, the variable name is generated and may need be changed

Use Data Export Tool to export data dictionary to Excel file to make changes and then upload new data dictionary

Multiple choice options creates numeric values for options “behind the scenes” Always starts at 1 and increases Can force values you want Be consistent!!

Print CRFs after creating database to have a “hard copy”

BEWARE

Cannot specify significant figures to enter Cannot force entering data in certain units (kgs, lbs)

Add a field note to remind the data entry person Calculations will remain missing if any of the variables

used to create it are missing Creating adverse event forms

LONGITUDINAL STUDIES

Define events If you use the same # days offset (1,1,1, etc), events will be

alphabetized Create arms if necessary (different schedule of events)

Designate forms for events

SCHEDULING

Must have checked “Enable Scheduling Module” under “Project Settings” (Control Panel to change)

Scheduling Generate schedule for each patient based on events Modify/add visits as needed Can print for records

Calendar tool Add other events – per patient or in general Agenda (upcoming for all patients)

DATA EXPORT/IMPORT Export

“Simple” takes all variables “Advanced”

Choose forms/variables to export De-identification options

Citation notice Software – need to download all files provided

Excel, SPSS, SAS , R, STATA

Data import Data must be in same format as REDCap database Won’t create variables – only import data into existing

variables **This is different from the data dictionary upload which will

create variables**

OTHER TOOLS

Data comparison tool Logging File repository User rights – be careful with default options (especially

exporting rights) Data access groups – limits access to database records

Graphical view and stats – quick and dirty view Data quality Report builder

PRODUCTION STATUS

Request through “Project Setup” https://sctr.musc.edu/ Request Service through SPARK After in “production” - changes are not “live” until

submitted for approval (use draft mode)

RESOURCES

REDCap Shared Library Forms already created and validate can be imported directly

into library Listserv:

email redcap-users-request@musc.edu (in body of message, type the word “subscribe”)

Email redcap@musc.edu (to reach administrators) REDCap videos

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Parent Child Linking Double Data Entry