About REDCap

Owned by Robert Piangozza
Last updated: Jan 26, 2022
2 min read

Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) is a web-based application developed by Vanderbilt University to capture data for clinical research and create databases and projects. It is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)–compliant, highly secure, and intuitive to use. The databases use instruments such as surveys and forms as research capture tools. Projects are self-sufficient and secure databases that can be used for normal data entry or for surveys across multiple distinct time points. They are workflow-based and focus on collecting data and exporting it to statistical programs and other data analysis software.

 

KEY FEATURES

  • Powerful but Simple - REDCap is super easy to use and incredibly flexible.

  • Training Videos - On the REDCap web site you will find numerous videos that will help you learn just about anything and everything about REDCap.

  • Documentation - Documentation is plentiful and can be readily found online.

  • Practical - REDCap is a great tool that can benefit just about any research study. It is extremely flexible and has a lot of features that are normally desired.

  • Support - The application is user friendly, but we have support if needed.

  • Data Import/Export - The creators are really in charge of their own data, meaning creators can easily import and export data. Data Dictionaries can be extracted into EXCEL and then data can simply follow the same pattern.

  • Data De-identification- methods imposed as a means of preventing from exporting sensitive data

  • Branching Logic - logic that can provide additional objects (such as textboxes, option buttons, or others) only if certain conditions are met.

  • Email Notifications - Notifications can be sent when records are added.

  • Logging and Audit Trail - REDCap does a great job at tracking application usage.

  • Compliance - REDCap has security features such as User Privileges, Authentication, Interoperability, auto-logout setting, authentication, logging, auditing, and data protection.

  • REDCap Shared Library - a repository for REDCap data collection instruments and forms that can be downloaded and used by researchers.