{"id":4746,"date":"2026-04-07T16:40:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/?page_id=4746"},"modified":"2026-04-07T16:40:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:40:24","slug":"redcap-optional-modules-customizations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/guides-how-tos\/redcap-optional-modules-customizations\/","title":{"rendered":"REDCap Optional Modules &amp; Customizations"},"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\" style=\"max-width: 1100px;margin: 0 auto;line-height: 1.7;color: #1f2937\">\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.08em\">REDCap provides a range of optional modules and customizations that enhance project functionality, improve workflow, and support more complex study designs. These features should be enabled intentionally based on your project needs.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Core Principle:<\/strong> Enable only what you need. Additional functionality increases complexity and should align with your study design.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0f9ff;border: 1px solid #bae6fd;padding: 16px;border-radius: 6px;margin: 24px 0\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0\">On this page<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#data-collection\">Data Collection Structure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#records\">Record Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#surveys\">Survey &amp; Participant Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#workflow\">Workflow &amp; Data Quality<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#automation\">Automation &amp; Integration<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#system\">System Enhancements<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><!-- DATA COLLECTION --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"data-collection\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">1. Data Collection Structure<\/h2>\n<h3>Repeating Instruments<\/h3>\n<p>Allows a single instrument to repeat multiple times for a record (e.g., medications, adverse events).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Supports one-to-many data collection<\/li>\n<li>Unlimited repetitions per record<\/li>\n<li>Works in both classic and longitudinal projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Best Practice:<\/strong> Use repeating instruments when the number of entries is unknown or variable.<\/div>\n<h3>Repeating Events (Longitudinal Only)<\/h3>\n<p>Allows an entire event (multiple instruments) to repeat together.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Useful for visits or timepoints with multiple forms<\/li>\n<li>Eliminates need to predefine multiple events<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Repeating instruments repeat a single form; repeating events repeat a group of forms.<\/div>\n<h3>Data Output Behavior<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Each repeat instance appears as a new row in exports<\/li>\n<li><code>redcap_repeat_instance<\/code> identifies the instance number<\/li>\n<li><code>redcap_repeat_instrument<\/code> identifies the instrument<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><!-- RECORD MANAGEMENT --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"records\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">2. Record Management<\/h2>\n<h3>Auto-numbering Records<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Automatically assigns sequential record IDs<\/li>\n<li>Prevents manual entry errors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> To start at a specific number, create the first record manually, then enable auto-numbering.<\/p>\n<h3>Custom Record Labels<\/h3>\n<p>Enhances record identification using additional fields (e.g., name, DOB).<\/p>\n<p><code>Example: [last_name], [first_name]<\/code><\/p>\n<h3>Secondary Unique Field<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Prevents duplicate values in a designated field<\/li>\n<li>Must be a text field<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Order Records by Field<\/h3>\n<p>Allows sorting records by a field (e.g., last name) instead of record ID.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><!-- SURVEYS --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"surveys\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">3. Survey &amp; Participant Management<\/h2>\n<h3>Designated Email Field<\/h3>\n<p>Allows REDCap to use a field to populate participant email addresses for survey invitations.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Useful when first instrument is not a survey<\/li>\n<li>Populates Participant List automatically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fef2f2;border-left: 6px solid #dc2626;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Email use links identifiers to responses and must align with IRB approval.<\/div>\n<h3>Repeating Surveys<\/h3>\n<p>Allows participants to submit the same survey multiple times.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Must enable repeating instrument first<\/li>\n<li>Then enable repeat option in Survey Settings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><!-- WORKFLOW --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"workflow\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">4. Workflow &amp; Data Quality<\/h2>\n<h3>Field Comment Log<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Allows users to leave comments on individual fields<\/li>\n<li>All comments are searchable and exportable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Data Resolution Workflow (Data Queries)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Structured query system for resolving data issues<\/li>\n<li>Supports open\/respond\/close workflow<\/li>\n<li>Integrated with Data Quality module<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Best Practice:<\/strong> Use Data Resolution Workflow for regulated or clinical studies.<\/div>\n<h3>Require Reason for Data Changes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Prompts users to document changes to existing records<\/li>\n<li>Logged in audit trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><!-- AUTOMATION --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"automation\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">5. Automation &amp; Integration<\/h2>\n<h3>Scheduling Module (Longitudinal Only)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Generates visit schedules based on events<\/li>\n<li>Supports study calendars<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Data Entry Trigger<\/h3>\n<p>Triggers an HTTP POST to an external system when data is entered or modified.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Used for system integrations<\/li>\n<li>Not triggered by imports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Advanced Feature:<\/strong> Typically requires developer support.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><!-- SYSTEM --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"system\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px;border-radius: 6px\">6. System Enhancements<\/h2>\n<h3>Data History Widget<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Displays field-level audit history<\/li>\n<li>Shows who changed what and when<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Today \/ Now Buttons<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Auto-populates current date\/time<\/li>\n<li>Improves data entry efficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px;margin: 20px 0\"><strong>Best Practice:<\/strong> Keep default system enhancements enabled unless there is a specific reason to disable them.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">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 REDCap [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4679,"featured_media":0,"parent":2190,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-02 02:10:04","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4746"}],"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=4746"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4747,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4746\/revisions\/4747"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}