REDCap

A secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases.

Go to REDCap Site

What is REDCap?

REDCap stands for Research Electronic Data Capture. Vanderbilt University created REDCap in 2004 for their own data entry and collection forms for clinical research. They found that REDCap was a great tool for collecting data and, in 2006, Vanderbilt University expanded REDCap into the REDCap Consortium.

Through the REDCap Consortium, REDCap became available to other institutions. Currently, over 6,000 institutions in 145 countries utilize REDCap. Millions of individuals use REDCap and tens of thousands of articles have been written using data from REDCap.

Why REDCap matters

It is highly accessible and does not require a virtual private network. Designed for secure data collection, REDCap is compliant with the United States Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 11 Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In Canada, it supports compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).

As collaborative, cross-institutional research projects grew, we recognized the need for shared tools available to all health research stakeholders.

WE-SPARK Health Institute, with support provided by UWindsor IT services and ORIS, has acquired REDCap on behalf of our health researchers. REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases.

Is REDCap right for me?

If you're planning a research project, REDCap offers a robust solution for secure data management. This web-based platform provides tools to build surveys, create databases, and streamline data collection, storage, and access. Its focus on compliance and user-friendly features makes it a powerful choice for WE-SPARK researchers.

REDCap simplifies many aspects of research data management. Designing custom surveys with various question types and branching logic. Building secure databases tailored to your project's needs. Tracking data updates with audit trails and exporting data in various formats for analysis.

Why should I use REDCap?

• Secure – Full user authentication (log-on/password), customizable user rights restrictions, real-time data validation, centralized & secure data storage, data de-identification options, and a full audit trail. Inbuilt, it is PIPEDA/HIPPA–compliant, highly secure, and intuitive to use.
• Web-based – Enter data or build your database from anywhere in the world over a secure web connection with authentication and data logging.
• Fast – Quick project start-up. Clinical report forms can be implemented without the need for a programmer. Concept to the production-level database is possible in less than one day.
• Easy – Intuitive user interface and workflow, readily available online training materials
• Fully customizable – Total control over shaping your database.
• Autonomous utilization – Research groups have complete autonomy and control to add new users and set several levels of specific user rights.
• Data export – Seamless data downloads to common statistical packages (including SPSS, SAS, Stata) and to the .csv (comma-separated values) format, the most common import and export format for spreadsheets and databases.
• Data import – Data import capability through Microsoft Excel
• Advanced features – File uploading, auto–validation, branching logic, calculated fields, signature, Dynamic Query (SQL), and more!
• Offers unique features that can be used to conduct rigorous RCTs.

It is available at no charge to all WE-SPARK Health Institute members. Any members can request a personal consultation for their projects at the top of this page.

View a demo REDCap database.

REDCap Project Development Consultation Service