REDCap

Posted by Ann Madhavan on June 22nd, 2017 Posted in: Data Science, Technology

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REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases.  Originally created in 2004 by a small group of researchers at Vanderbilt University who needed a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant data collection tool, it has evolved into a free, consortium-based secure web application specifically geared to support online and offline data capture for research studies and operations. With over 2000 partner sites across the globe, REDCap is capable of collecting any type of data for any purpose. Each partner site maintains its own installation of REDCap and the only cost involved in supporting it is funding for local IT support and server space.

In the Pacific Northwest Region, several universities are partners, including University of Washington, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Pacific Northwest University of the Health Sciences, University of Western States, the National University of Natural Medicine, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Pacific University, University of Idaho, Montana State University, and University of Alaska – Fairbanks.

To learn more about this software tool, view the REDCap consortia site’s REDCap Overview video and search for your local collaborators.  You can also sign up for a free 1-week trial account and explore its many features online.  If you completed the PNR’s Data Needs Assessment back in April and May of this year, you are already a REDCap end user! Our data collection tool was created using the UW Institute of Translational Health Sciences REDCap access.  And if you attended MLA, watch Kevin Read’s and Fred LaPolla’s presentation, “REDCap and Trade: Negotiating a Library Role in Clinical Research Data Management” for an account of their experience providing researchers with REDCap training.