What Is REDCap?

REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases to support online or offline data capture for research studies and operations, thus should ONLY be used for active data collection and project data should be routinely exported. For more information: Managing Your Data. Once active data collection has ended, the project and its data need to be removed from the system. Therefore, you must have an external storage plan in place, which should be part of your IRB-approved plan.

Key Features

  • Easy-to-build projects without advanced programming knowledge.
  • Smart forms with auto-validation and branching/skip logic.
  • Extensive question types including: matrix questions, rating scales, textboxes, radio buttons, drop-downs, and file uploads.
  • Rapid design and deployment (in less than one day) for live data collection.
  • Multiple collection modes: online data collection in the field (via the web) or onsite.
  • Anonymous or identified survey responses.
  • Ability to save forms as PDF files that can be printed for paper-based data collection.
  • Automated data exports to common data analysis tools, such as Excel, SAS, SPSS, Stata, and R.
  • Ability to reuse forms for multiple study events or waves.
  • Project calendaring for managing data collection events and study visits.
  • Ad hoc reporting.
  • Convenient web authentication using UConn Health’s domain account system.
  • High security and access to data over an encrypted web connection.

    REDCap Data Collection

    • REDCap Survey is similar to Survey Monkey, but more robust. It allows you to collect responses directly from research participants.
    • REDCap Case Report Form creates an electronic database, which allows you to enter information through direct transcription or by uploading existing data files.

    Your project can include both surveys and forms.

    Please note: Your study materials dictate what and how data can be collected and how that data will be stored – this includes the usage of REDCap. Please refer to your approved study plan to determine if and how your project can utilize REDCap – this information can be found in the protocol, consent forms, IRB application, Data Security Assessment, HIPAA authorization/waiver, etc. ALL project fields and forms/instruments should match what has been approved.

    Security and Human Subjects Research Data

    UCH REDCap is a HIPAA-capable web platform in that being HIPAA-compliant requires that users conduct certain practices, such as limiting access to and restricting export of high-risk data. As such, part of what makes UCH REDCap HIPAA-compliant is the appropriate data collection and management practices of UCH REDCap users, even those not collecting high risk data. UCH REDCap users must complete annual HIPAA training and abide by the Protecting High Risk Data document no matter the classification of their project data. Please note, UCH REDCap is NOT a 21 CFR Part 11-compliant system and should not be used for studies reporting to the FDA (i.e., IND, IDE, abbreviated IDE, etc).

    All data stored on our servers at UConn Health are protected by multiple firewalls. Remote access from outside UConn Health is provided securely over an encrypted web connection. In addition, the REDCap application allows you to identify and protect fields that contain PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and/or Protected Health Information (PHI) data by employing fine-grained user rights that are set by the study administrator to control who can view, modify, or add data and/or forms. All activities are also system logged and are available in a full audit trail. We encourage research PIs to collect the least amount of PII or PHI as possible if such collection is absolutely necessary. Recommended reading before collecting Protected Health Information (PHI): A beginner’s guide to avoiding Protected Health Information (PHI) issues in clinical research – With how-to’s in REDCap Data Management Software.

    How to Get Started

    REDCap employs a streamlined process enabling you to rapidly develop a project:

    1. Learn more about REDCap and see if it will be an effective tool for your study. All project team members who will access and work in the UConn Health REDCap system must complete the Introductory Overviews, Basic Features & Functionality, and Project Types REDCap video training modules BEFORE requesting an account and using REDCap. All users are encouraged to view the additional REDCap training videos and guides and how-to’s.
    2. Request a REDCap account. For more information: Project & Usage Eligibility and REDCap Account Request.
    3. CREATE your project in the REDCap Development system – make sure you check out the Guides & How-to’s
    4. TEST your development project thoroughly.
    5. DEPLOY your project from development to the production environment and start collecting real data. IRB-approval required.

    Contact Us

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us: redcap@uchc.edu.