Database design and data management

The Core programs customized REDCap databases to help researchers manage a wide range of projects, including surveys and studies with protocols that involve multiple steps. This capability is particularly critical for longitudinal projects, which might otherwise need to engage outside vendors for programming and maintenance tasks.

Participant tracking

The Core builds and maintains participant tracking systems that allow investigators to track subjects and their activities over time, and that can include multiple tasks for participants. For example, participant tracking can collect data on participants who are randomized to one of several interventions, each of which requires them to interact with the system multiple times and be reminded by the system to take actions dependent on their randomization status. Key data elements associated with these activities are stored for evaluation and analysis.

Participant tracking databases are often designed to nest within a project website that allows participant access, education, and delivery of various interventions. Most of these systems also incorporate scheduling components that provide project staff with the time and dates for the delivery of planned education or intervention modules. The SQMC can collaborate with the Health Communication Core when developing tracking systems for web-based interventions nested within study websites.