{"id":4649,"date":"2026-03-11T13:09:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/?page_id=4649"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:26:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T18:26:06","slug":"redcap-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"REDCap Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"in-page-tabs\"><ul id=\"menu-redcap\" class=\"menu nav nav-tabs\"><li id=\"menu-item-4436\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children dropdown\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/\" class=\"dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\">REDCap Usage<b class=\"caret\"><\/b><\/a>\n<ul class=\"dropdown-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-4437\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/uch-redcap-user-agreement\/\">REDCap User Agreement<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4439\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-project-eligibility\/\">REDCap Usage &amp; Project Eligibility<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4440\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-user-eligibility\/\">REDCap User Eligibility<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4438\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/new-redcap-policy-and-fee-faq\/\">REDCap Usage Fees<\/a><\/li><!--.dropdown-->\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4441\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-account-request\/\">REDCap Account Request<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4446\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children dropdown\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/redcap-login-issues\/\" class=\"dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\">REDCap Login Issues<b class=\"caret\"><\/b><\/a>\n<ul class=\"dropdown-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-4447\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-account-request\/uchc-user-login-issues\/\">UCHC User Login Issues<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4448\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-account-request\/login-issues\/\">UConn &amp; External Users Login Issues<\/a><\/li><!--.dropdown-->\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4442\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-training\/\">REDCap Training<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4443\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/guides-how-tos\/\">REDCap Guides &amp; How-to<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4449\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children dropdown\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/scheduled-maintenance\/\" class=\"dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\">REDCap Maintenance<b class=\"caret\"><\/b><\/a>\n<ul class=\"dropdown-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-4678\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/scheduled-maintenance\/\">REDCap Maintenance<\/a><\/li>\t<li id=\"menu-item-4450\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/scheduled-maintenance\/new-features-improvements\/\">REDCap Upgrade Details<\/a><\/li><!--.dropdown-->\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4451\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-systems\/\">REDCap Systems<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4452\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/using-redcap-for-nih-data-sharing\/\">Using REDCap for NIH Data Sharing<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4453\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/citing-redcap\/\">Citing REDCap<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-4455\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap_news\/\">REDCap News You Can Use<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div id=\"top\" class=\"redcap-best-practices\" style=\"max-width: 1100px;margin: 0 auto;line-height: 1.7;color: #1f2937\">\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.08em;margin-top: 0\">Thoughtful project design is one of the most effective ways to improve data quality, reduce rework, and support efficient study operations.<\/p>\n<p>Use the guidance below to help plan, build, test, and maintain your REDCap project effectively.<br \/>\nBefore building, take time to plan your workflow, define the data you need, and consider how your team will interact with the system.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 22px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Core Principle:<\/strong> Plan \u2192 Build \u2192 Test \u2192 Secure \u2192 Maintain<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0f9ff;border: 1px solid #bae6fd;padding: 16px 18px;margin: 24px 0;border-radius: 6px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;font-size: 1.2em\">Core Best Practices at a Glance<\/h2>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px;background: #f3f4f6;text-align: left\">Principle<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px;background: #f3f4f6;text-align: left\">Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\"><strong>Plan First<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Define your data collection needs, workflow, and reporting needs before building.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\"><strong>Design Clearly<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Use clear variable names, labels, consistent coding, and appropriate validations.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\"><strong>Test Carefully<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Validate logic, surveys, reports, and permissions before go-live.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\"><strong>Protect Access<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Assign only the permissions needed and limit data exports.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f9fafb;border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;padding: 16px 18px;margin: 24px 0;border-radius: 6px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;font-size: 1.2em\">On this page<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0;padding-left: 20px\">\n<li><a href=\"#plan-project\">Plan Your Project Before Building<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#variable-names\">Use Clear and Consistent Variable Naming<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#field-validation\">Use Field Validation Whenever Possible<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#branching-logic\">Use Branching Logic Carefully<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#calculated-fields\">Use Calculated Fields Sparingly<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#instrument-design\">Design Instruments for Data Entry and Data Quality<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#user-rights\">Assign User Rights Carefully<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#development-production\">Use Development and Production Properly<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#testing\">Test Your Project Thoroughly<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#field-labels\">Write Clear and Descriptive Field Labels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#documentation\">Document Your Project<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#project-management\">Manage the Project After Go-Live<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#resources\">Additional Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"plan-project\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Plan Your Project Before Building<\/h2>\n<p>Spend time planning your project structure before creating forms in REDCap.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What data will you collect?<\/li>\n<li>Why is each data point needed?<\/li>\n<li>Who will enter the data?<\/li>\n<li>Will participants complete surveys?<\/li>\n<li>Will data be collected once, repeatedly, or longitudinally?<\/li>\n<li>Are multiple sites involved?<\/li>\n<li>What reports or analyses will be needed?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Draft your data collection plan or data dictionary before building.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"variable-names\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Variable Naming<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Use lowercase names<\/li>\n<li>Use underscores<\/li>\n<li>Keep names short but descriptive<\/li>\n<li>Use consistent naming conventions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Do not change variable names after data collection begins.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"field-validation\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Field Validation<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Use date validation for dates<\/li>\n<li>Use numeric validation for numbers<\/li>\n<li>Use email validation for emails<\/li>\n<li>Define ranges when appropriate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Use validation instead of free text whenever possible.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"user-rights\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">User Rights<\/h2>\n<p>Assign access based on role using the principle of least privilege.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Limit access to only what is necessary<\/li>\n<li>Use roles and Data Access Groups<\/li>\n<li>Remove users when no longer needed<\/li>\n<li>Limit export privileges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Users with access to User Rights can modify permissions for others.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"testing\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Testing<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Enter test records<\/li>\n<li>Validate branching logic<\/li>\n<li>Test surveys and invitations<\/li>\n<li>Verify reports and exports<\/li>\n<li>Test user roles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Test with real-world scenarios before moving to Production.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"project-management\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Ongoing Project Management<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Run Data Quality checks regularly<\/li>\n<li>Monitor logging<\/li>\n<li>Review reports<\/li>\n<li>Use record locking when appropriate<\/li>\n<li>Archive projects when complete<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Project owners are responsible for ongoing data quality and security.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"resources\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Additional Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-training\/\">REDCap Training Center<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>REDCap Usage REDCap User Agreement REDCap Usage &amp; Project Eligibility REDCap User Eligibility REDCap Usage Fees REDCap Account RequestREDCap Login Issues UCHC User Login Issues UConn &amp; External Users Login Issues REDCap TrainingREDCap Guides &amp; How-toREDCap Maintenance REDCap Maintenance REDCap Upgrade Details REDCap SystemsUsing REDCap for NIH Data SharingCiting REDCapREDCap News You Can Use Thoughtful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4679,"featured_media":0,"parent":914,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-01 09:24:39","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4649"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4649"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4730,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4649\/revisions\/4730"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}