How to Download REDCap: A Guide for Clinical Researchers
If you are a clinical researcher looking for a secure, user-friendly, and cost-effective software tool for data capture and management, you may have heard of REDCap. REDCap stands for Research Electronic Data Capture, and it is a web-based application that allows you to create and manage online surveys and databases for your research studies. In this article, we will explain what REDCap is, why you should use it, how to join the REDCap Consortium and get access to the software, and how to use it for your research projects.
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What is REDCap and why use it?
REDCap is a software tool developed by Vanderbilt University in collaboration with a network of thousands of institutional partners in over 150 countries. It is specifically designed to support online and offline data capture for research studies and operations in any environment, including compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, FISMA, HIPAA, and GDPR. REDCap is free to non-profit organizations who join the REDCap Consortium, or you can explore other options to use REDCap on their FAQ page.
REDCap features and benefits
Some of the main features and benefits of using REDCap are:
Secure and web-based. You can input data from anywhere in the world with secure web authentication, data logging, and SSL encryption.
Fast and flexible. You can create and customize your databases and surveys in minutes using the online designer or the offline method of uploading a data dictionary file in Excel.
Multisite access. You can use your projects by researchers from multiple sites and institutions.
Fully customizable. You have total control of shaping your database or survey, with options such as auto-validation, branching logic, stop actions, file uploading, calculated fields, etc.
Advanced survey features. You can collect anonymous or identified responses from survey participants by sending them a link via email, entering data manually, or posting a link on your website. You can also use survey queueing, survey invitations, survey reminders, survey pre-filling, etc.
Data quality module. You can run reports on problems with data consistency across forms, such as missing values, outliers, or discrepancies.
Audit trails. You can track the history of data entry and revision by users.
Data export. You can export your data to common statistical programs such as Excel, PDF, SAS, SPSS, Stata, R, etc.
Data resolution workflow. You can document the process of resolving issues with data in your project using queries and comments.
Web-based randomization. You can randomize your subjects into groups using predefined randomization schemes.
REDCap alternatives and competitors
Although REDCap is a popular and widely used software tool for clinical research data management, it is not the only one available. Some of the alternatives and competitors to REDCap are:
How to download redcap software for free
Download redcap app for offline data capture
Download redcap data into excel or spss
Download redcap survey templates and examples
Download redcap user manual and tutorials
Download redcap api and plugins
Download redcap mobile app for android or ios
Download redcap data dictionary and metadata
Download redcap project backup and restore
Download redcap reports and dashboards
Download redcap forms and instruments
Download redcap validation rules and logic
Download redcap branching logic and calculations
Download redcap data quality module and queries
Download redcap randomization module and settings
Download redcap survey queue and invitations
Download redcap repeatable instruments and events
Download redcap file upload and download fields
Download redcap action tags and field annotations
Download redcap alerts and notifications
Download redcap longitudinal projects and scheduling
Download redcap external modules and extensions
Download redcap data access groups and user rights
Download redcap audit trail and logging
Download redcap survey themes and customization
Download redcap piping and dynamic fields
Download redcap record locking and e-signature
Download redcap data entry triggers and hooks
Download redcap pdf export and printing
Download redcap consortium resources and support
Download redcap video training series and webinars
Download redcap statistics module and r scripts
Download redcap shared library of projects and surveys
Download redcap email archive and communication log
Download redcap calendar module and event reminders
Download redcap bookmarklets and shortcuts
Download redcap survey link generator and qr codes
Download redcap data import tool and templates
Download redcap data export tool and formats
Download redcap codebook generator and documentation
NameDescriptionProsCons
Castor EDCA cloud-based platform that enables researchers to easily capture and integrate data from any source and decentralize their trials.- Supports ePRO, eCOA, eConsent, eSource, eTMF- Integrates with wearable devices- Compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11- Free for COVID-19 research- Limited customization options- - Expensive for non-academic users- Requires internet connection
OpenClinicaAn open-source platform that provides a suite of tools for electronic data capture, clinical data management, and clinical trial management.- Supports eCRF, ePRO, eConsent, eSource- Flexible and scalable- Compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11- Free for academic users- Complex and steep learning curve- Limited support and documentation- Requires installation and maintenance
QualtricsA cloud-based platform that enables researchers to create and distribute surveys, collect and analyze data, and report and share insights.- User-friendly and intuitive- Supports a variety of question types and logic- Integrates with third-party tools- Offers advanced analytics and reporting- Expensive for non-academic users- Not specifically designed for clinical research- Does not support randomization or data resolution workflow
How to join the REDCap Consortium and get access to the software
If you are interested in using REDCap for your research projects, you need to join the REDCap Consortium, which is a network of institutions that collaborate to develop and support the software. By joining the consortium, you will be able to download and install REDCap on your local computer or server, or use a hosted version provided by your institution. You will also be able to access the REDCap community forum, training resources, technical support, and updates.
Eligibility criteria and application process
To join the REDCap Consortium, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
You must be a non-profit organization, such as an academic institution, hospital, government agency, or research foundation.
You must have an institutional review board (IRB) or equivalent body that oversees human subjects research.
You must have a designated REDCap administrator who will be responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and supporting REDCap at your institution.
You must agree to the terms and conditions of the REDCap Consortium Agreement, which include sharing your usage statistics, providing feedback, and acknowledging REDCap in your publications.
If you meet these criteria, you can apply to join the consortium by filling out an online form. You will need to provide some information about your institution, your REDCap administrator, your IRB, and your intended use of REDCap. You will also need to upload a signed copy of the consortium agreement. The application process may take up to two weeks, depending on the volume of requests. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and install REDCap or access a hosted version.
How to install and configure REDCap on your local computer or server
If you choose to install REDCap on your own computer or server, you will need to follow these steps:
Download the latest version of REDCap from the consortium website. You will need a username and password that will be provided to you after your application is approved.
Unzip the downloaded file and copy the contents to a web-accessible directory on your computer or server.
Create a MySQL database for REDCap and grant full privileges to a MySQL user account.
Edit the database.php file in the redcap folder and enter the database name, host name, username, and password.
Run the install.php script in your web browser by entering the URL of your REDCap directory followed by /install.php. For example:
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. You will need to enter some information about your institution, your REDCap administrator, your email settings, etc.
After the installation is complete, you will be able to log in to REDCap using the username and password that you created during the installation.
How to use REDCap for your research projects
Once you have access to REDCap, you can start using it for your research projects. You can create new projects or copy existing ones from other users or from the REDCap Shared Library. You can also import or export projects using XML files. To use REDCap for your research projects, you need to follow these steps:
How to create and design databases and surveys
To create a new project in REDCap, you need to click on the "New Project" tab on the main menu and enter some basic information about your project, such as the project title, purpose, project category, and project type. You can choose between two project types: classic database or longitudinal database. A classic database is a single-event project that consists of one or more data collection instruments (forms or surveys) that are completed once per record (subject). A longitudinal database is a multi-event project that consists of one or more data collection instruments that are repeated over time for each record. You can also enable additional modules for your project, such as randomization, data resolution workflow, survey invitations, etc.
After creating your project, you need to design your data collection instruments. You can use the online designer tool or the data dictionary upload tool. The online designer tool allows you to create and edit your instruments using a graphical interface. You can add fields, labels, choices, validations, branching logic, etc. The data dictionary upload tool allows you to create and edit your instruments using an Excel spreadsheet. You can download a template from REDCap and fill in the columns with the field names, labels, choices, validations, branching logic, etc. Then you can upload the spreadsheet to REDCap and it will generate the instruments for you.
You can also create surveys from your data collection instruments by enabling the survey settings for each instrument. You can customize the survey appearance, options, invitations, reminders, etc. You can also preview and test your surveys before deploying them.
How to collect and manage data online and offline
To collect data online, you need to create user accounts and assign user rights for each project. You can grant different levels of access and permissions to different users, such as data entry personnel, project managers, statisticians, etc. You can also create user roles to group users with similar rights. Users can log in to REDCap and enter data using the web interface or the mobile app. They can also view and edit existing records, search and filter records, lock records, etc.
To collect data offline, you need to use the REDCap Mobile App, which is available for iOS and Android devices. You can download your projects to your device and enter data without an internet connection. The app will store the data locally and securely on your device until you sync it with the REDCap server when you have an internet connection. You can also scan barcodes or QR codes using the app to identify records or fields.
To manage your data, you can use various tools and features in REDCap, such as:
Data quality module. You can run reports on problems with data consistency across forms, such as missing values, outliers, or discrepancies.
Data resolution workflow. You can document the process of resolving issues with data in your project using queries and comments.
Audit trails. You can track the history of data entry and revision by users.
Data export. You can export your data to common statistical programs such as Excel, PDF, SAS, SPSS, Stata, R, etc.
Data import. You can import data from external sources using CSV files or API calls.
Data comparison tool. You can compare two datasets and identify differences or matches.
Data logging. You can view a log of all actions performed on your project by users.
How to export and analyze data with common statistical programs
To export and analyze your data with common statistical programs, you need to use the Data Export Tool in REDCap. You can access this tool by clicking on the "Data Export Tool" tab on the main menu of your project. You can choose between two export methods: simple or advanced.
The simple export method allows you to export your entire dataset or a subset of it in various formats, such as CSV (comma-separated values), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), SAS (Statistical Analysis System), Stata (Statistics/Data Analysis), R (statistical computing language), etc. You can also export your metadata (field names, labels, choices, etc.) as a data dictionary file in CSV or Excel format. You can also export your data as a PDF file with labels or values.
The advanced export method allows you to customize your export options and select specific fields, events, records, and forms to export. You can also apply filters, labels, and formatting to your data. You can save your export settings as a report for future use. You can also schedule your reports to run automatically and email them to yourself or others.
After exporting your data, you can open it with your preferred statistical program and perform various analyses, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression, ANOVA, etc. You can also create graphs, charts, tables, and other visualizations of your data.
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, REDCap is a powerful and versatile software tool for clinical research data management. It allows you to create and manage online surveys and databases for your research studies in a secure, user-friendly, and cost-effective way. It also offers many features and benefits that can enhance your data quality, efficiency, and productivity. To use REDCap, you need to join the REDCap Consortium and get access to the software either by installing it on your own computer or server or by using a hosted version provided by your institution. You can then create and design your databases and surveys, collect and manage your data online and offline, and export and analyze your data with common statistical programs.
Frequently asked questions about REDCap
Q: How much does REDCap cost?A: REDCap is free to non-profit organizations who join the REDCap Consortium. However, you may incur some costs for hosting, maintenance, support, training, etc. depending on how you use REDCap.
Q: How secure is REDCap?A: REDCap is very secure and compliant with various standards and regulations for data protection, such as 21 CFR Part 11, FISMA, HIPAA, and GDPR. REDCap uses SSL encryption, web authentication, data logging, audit trails, etc. to ensure the security and integrity of your data.
Q: How can I learn more about REDCap?A: You can learn more about REDCap by visiting their official website, watching their video tutorials, reading their user guide, joining their community forum, or attending their training workshops.
Q: How can I get help with REDCap?A: You can get help with REDCap by contacting your local REDCap administrator or support team at your institution. You can also post your questions or issues on the REDCap community forum or submit a ticket to the REDCap technical support team.
Q: How can I cite REDCap in my publications?A: You can cite REDCap in your publications by using the following citation: Harris PA et al., Research electronic data capture (REDCap) - A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support., J Biomed Inform. 2009 Apr;42(2):377-81.
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