Bruce A. Luxon, Ph.D. Director, Biomedical Informatics Program Institute for Translational Science Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Texas Medical Branch REDCap Mar 2015 Essential Training for REDCap Form Developers and Power Users

Training Overview: Getting started: Project creation Review of data collection requirements Research Protocol determines workflow Scope document Review of analysis requirements – identify Biostatistician Project development Using the Project Setup tab Building data collection instruments Testing instruments and applications Production mode

Login to and explore the training and help resources.

On the ‘Create New Project’ tab, insert the project title and select the purpose.

Determine if you want to use an existing project template. If so, choose the design, and click on Create Project.

The menu and project setup tabs are now accessible for your project.

Follow the Project Setup tab checklist to build your project.

Additional customizations can be made for your project.

Optional Customizations

Project development begins with identifying the fields required to support data collection requirements. Identification of your data collection workflow is also critical. You can begin designing instruments to add the data collection fields at any time. Instruments are the webpages used to enter your data into REDCap. It is recommended to include any statistical analysis resource to ensure completeness of the data set required to perform the analysis. There are two methods to design instruments: Online Designer or Data Dictionary

The Online Designer is the fastest, easiest way to build instruments entirely online. You can customize existing instruments or create new ones. Click on the Instrument name to edit the instrument.

Click on the Pencil to edit an existing field, Add Field, or Add Matrix of Fields as required.

The Online Designer is used to edit the field attributes.

The Online Designer is used to edit the field attributes. You must enter the Field Label and Variable Name for each new field.

Many field types are available.

The Data Dictionary The Data Dictionary is a specifically formatted spreadsheet in CSV (comma separated values) containing the metadata used to construct the data collection instruments and fields. The changes you make with the data dictionary are not made in real time to the project (off-line method). The modified file must first be uploaded successfully before changes are committed to the project.

Uploading the Data Dictionary

Access the Data Collection Menu to enter initial practice data upon completion of development for prototype instruments. Testing Instruments and Applications

Validate the workflow to ensure that you have identified all data collection points and methods. Entering practice data will often lead to edits or redesigns for your instruments. Create Reports using the Report Builder to view your data. Export your data into the expected format needed for analysis. Provide the data export to your biostatistician for validation. Testing Instruments and Applications

When you are ready to begin entering real data, use the Setup tab to move the project to production mode. You can delete all practice data, so that your project will be ready for real data entry.