REDCAP
RESEARCH ELECTRONIC DATA CAPTURE
Amy Wahlquist
February 2, 2012
GETTING STARTED
https://redcap.musc.edu
 Login with NetID and password
 Welcome screen
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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
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If you choose research, then you need PI name, IRB number,
type of research
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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
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DATABASE INFORMATION
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Project Home
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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
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Other Functionality
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Revision History
Copy/delete/erase data/archive database
Menu (on left)
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Data entry forms
Applications
Help
CREATING FORMS
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Demographics form created automatically
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Can modify or delete
**1st variable on 1st form is the unique identifier for
database**
 Add forms/variables as needed
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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
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FIELD TYPES
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Text box
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Notes box – no default validation, bad for analysis
Calculated field
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Used for all “free” entry including strings, numerics, dates
Must provide equation for calculation
Use previously defined variables or constants
Multiple choice – only one answer
Radio buttons
 Drop down list
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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)
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Date
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Validation (date) allows for calendar to pop up and makes sure date
is entered in usable format
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If possibility for missing information (e.g., day), consider entering
day, month, and year separately instead of date
Number/Integer
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Use pop up calendar to choose date or enter with keyboard
Different date format options
Add ranges - warns if outside range, but still allows it
Others
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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
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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*)
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TIPS WHEN CREATING FORMS
Drag and drop to reorder
 Copy/edit to make quick copies of similar variables
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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”
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Always starts at 1 and increases
 Can force values you want
 Be consistent!!
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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)
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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
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LONGITUDINAL STUDIES
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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)
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Designate forms for events
SCHEDULING
Must have checked “Enable Scheduling Module” under
“Project Settings” (Control Panel to change)
 Scheduling
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Generate schedule for each patient based on events
 Modify/add visits as needed
 Can print for records
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Calendar tool
Add other events – per patient or in general
 Agenda (upcoming for all patients)
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DATA EXPORT/IMPORT
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Export
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“Simple” takes all variables
“Advanced”
Choose forms/variables to export
 De-identification options
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Citation notice
 Software – need to download all files provided
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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**
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OTHER TOOLS
Data comparison tool
 Logging
 File repository
 User rights – be careful with default options (especially
exporting rights)
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Data access groups – limits access to database records
Graphical view and stats – quick and dirty view
 Data quality
 Report builder
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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)
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RESOURCES
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REDCap Shared Library
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Forms already created and validate can be imported directly
into library
Listserv:
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email redcap-users-request@musc.edu (in body of message,
type the word “subscribe”)
Email redcap@musc.edu (to reach administrators)
 REDCap videos
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ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Parent Child Linking
 Double Data Entry
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