REDCAPRESEARCH ELECTRONIC DATA CAPTURE Amy Wahlquist

February 12, 2014

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 Start project from scratch or begin with template?

If beginning with a template, cannot “go back” and will have to make all changes manually – by enabling options you want to add

Templates available Basic Demography Classic Database Human Cancer Tissue Biobank Longitudinal Database (1 or 2 arms) Multiple Surveys (classic or longitudinal) Project Tracking Database Randomized Clinical Trial Single Survey

DATABASE INFORMATION Project Home

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

Project Setup Project status Main project settings – change title/purpose and make customizations **Design data collection instruments – data dictionary** Optional modules and customizations/user rights Change status/draft mode

Other Functionality Copy/delete/erase/archive database

Project Revision History Menu (on left)

Data collection Applications Reports Help

CREATING FORMS

From template – some forms created automatically Can modify/rename/delete/reorder

**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)

FIELD TYPES Text box

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

Must provide equation for calculation Use previously defined variables or constants – this can be from other forms

Multiple choice – only one answer Drop down list Radio buttons

Checkboxes (more than one answer) – REDCap creates dummy variables for you Yes/No True/False Slider/Visual Analog Scale File upload (good for uploading consent forms) Descriptive text – with optional image/file attachment Begin new section (must have at least one variable after header before section

can be added) *not an option for the last 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 Decimal place option – doesn’t tell you on the form until you enter it wrong – can use

field note option to clarify for data entry person Others

Date/time or Date/time with seconds Email Phone Time Zip Letters only MRN/SSN

FIELD OPTIONS

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

“Identifier” – tags variables with protected health information for exporting de-identified data “Check for Identifiers” – design your data collection

instruments – can do them all at once

BRANCHING LOGIC

For fields that should only be asked at certain times (i.e., only ask about possibility of pregnancy if participant is female)

Convenience to data entry person (lets them skip questions without putting “n/a”)

No difference in branching missing vs. left intentionally blank with regards to data

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

feature*)

TIPS WHEN CREATING FORMS Drag and drop variables 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

Download data dictionary to Excel file to make changes and then upload new data dictionary - for large number of similar changes

Multiple choice options creates numeric values for options “behind the scenes” Always starts at 1 and increases Can force values you want Be consistent!! (for missing, n/a, etc)

Print CRFs after creating database to have a “hard copy” (these won’t show the branching logic or calculations but will show all variables on a form)

BEWARE

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 - still not a great way to do this Create one form with lots of branching Create more than one form (one for each potential AE) Other suggestions??

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 instruments for events

SCHEDULING

Only available for longitudinal Must enable “Scheduling Module” Scheduling

Generate schedule for each patient based on event design 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 (that you have permission to download)

“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 (.csv file and

variables in the same order) 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 (compares 2 records currently in a database)

Logging (keeps track of any use of database) File repository User rights – be careful with default options (especially

exporting rights) Data access groups – limits access to database records Check permissions when you add a new form

Graphical view and stats – quick and dirty view

PRODUCTION STATUS

Request through “Project Setup” Request Service through SPARK

https://sctr.musc.edu/ After in “production” - changes are not “live” until

submitted for approval (use draft mode to make more changes) Make sure to check for deletion of data/other potential

problems

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Parent Child Linking (cannot be used with longitudinal) Double Data Entry Randomization Module (needs certain user rights) Surveys – can now do multiple surveys in the same

database (be careful when trying to do de-identified follow-up surveys)

Data Quality Report builder (need to think about what reports you

will want before creating database to make sure it will work in report builder)

RESOURCES

REDCap Shared Library Forms already created and validated 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