REDCap

REDCap may be used in place of SurveyMonkey, Google forms, etc.. It is HIPAA compliant by default and supported by Upstate IMT staff.

User guides for creating and using basic REDCap surveys

• Comprehensive basic user guide 
• Quick guides
  • Basic surveys
  • Add users to projects
  • Create email alerts
• Guide to using REDCap for multiple (including repeating) surveys for non-longitudinal projects - including "before and after" types of surveys.

Scales and measures

• Likert Scale Response Options (pdf, Clemson Univ.)
• Likert Scale Examples for Surveys (.pdf, Iowa State Univ.)
  • Includes 2, 3, 4 and 5 point scales

Recommendations for improving survey data and response rate

• Briefly inform respondents of the why, who, how long, etc., in the invitation or survey introduction
  • Purpose/how the data will be used/why it is worth their time (i.e., the data collected will be used to improve services)
  • Estimate of the time needed (i.e., “the survey will take approximately 3-5min to complete)
  • How data are protects (i.e., anonymous, deidentified sharing, secure sharing, etc.)
  • Who will have access to the data, if applicable (i.e., collaborators, public, etc.
• Keep the survey as short as possible
  • Break unavoidably long surveys into shorter segments (Tip: in REDCap, break the survey into sections and use the Pagination setting “Multiple pages (display one section per page)”
  • Use the survey to gather data not available elsewhere
  • Collect only data that you know will be utilized, nothing extra
  • Ask one question, or inquire about one concept, at a time
• Use neutral wording (beware of adjectives or adverbs) to avoid influencing or biasing responses
• Keep questions as clear and concise as possible, while tailoring to respondents’ education level, common terminology, etc.
• Use multiple choice and scales as often as possible
  
  • The more open-ended text responses, the less likely someone is to respond (the less effort required by respondents, the better)
  • Be sure to offer a neutral option, and/or options for all respondents (i.e., n/a, other)
• Use validation where possible for open-ended questions (i.e., email addresses, phone numbers, min/max values, etc.)
• Ask the easiest questions first to reduce survey fatigue
• Consider the best timing to launch a survey 
  • Check respondent availability (i.e., check the academic schedule, avoid holidays, etc.)
  • Avoid launching a survey at the same time as (an)other survey(s)

REDCap is used by research organizations worldwide and training is readily available online from other 

General training

The Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) also provides a high-quality REDCap Training Series, which includes training on the basic and advanced topics below.  An account is needed to register for free ITHS classes.

• Introduction to REDCap and surveys
• Longitudinal studies
• Smart variables and action tags
• Mobile apps (REDCap Mobile and MyCap)

REDCap basic training series, Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Children’s National (CTSI-CN).

Data collection and storage for human subject research with REDCap course, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

UCD REDCap YouTube channel from the Colorado Clinical & Translational Sciences Institue (CCTS)

Specific functionality

• Using HTML, including an HTML Demo page (ITHS)
• Calculated fields (Clinical and Translational Science Institute, CTSI, University of Florida)
• Action tags (CTSI)

For assistance with training or other REDCap issues, please contact our REDCap Administrators.