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REDCap

This guide will offer information on how to use REDCap

Quick Tips

• The “Field Label” is the displayed text label on the screen. The “Variable Name” is the raw coded numerical value in the database.

• Variable Names may only be lowercase letters, numbers, or underscores.

• When you copy a field in the Online Designer, be sure to change the default variable name.

• Tag all identifying information fields (e.g., name, SSN, address) as “identifier” fields.

• Required fields and ranges will only issue warnings. They are not hard requirements.

• Text boxes and notes boxes both hold an unlimited amount of text. The only difference is the size of the input box on the screen.

• The only difference between a dropdown field and a radio button field is how they appear on the screen.

• Use checkboxes for questions where more than one answer can be selected. Do not use checkboxes for Yes/No questions, etc.

• Each time you add branching logic, test the logic in the data entry form before adding branching logic to additional fields.

• REDCap supports the following HTML tags inside when designing “Field Labels”

"Quick Tips" care of University of Chicago's Center for Research Informatics.