Describing a REDCap Form to RED-I

RED-I needs to know certain information about REDCap forms and events so that it can correctly translate and insert clinical data into them.

The description of the forms is done in two XML files called `Form Events <#form-events>`__ and `Translation Table <#translation-table>`__. The location of these files is specified in the settings.ini configuration file.

*See:* How to Add a Simple REDCap Form to RED-I

Form Events

  • Format: XML
  • Configuration:
  • Key: form_events_file
  • Default: formEvents.xml

Sample

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<redcapProject>
    <name>Project</name>
    <form>
        <name>cbc</name>

        <formDateField>cbc_date</formDateField>

        <formCompletedFieldName>cbc_done</formCompletedFieldName>
        <formCompletedFieldValue>2</formCompletedFieldValue>

        <formImportedFieldName>cbc_imported</formImportedFieldName>
        <formImportedFieldValue>Y</formImportedFieldValue>

        <event>
            <name>1_arm_1</name>
        </event>
        <event>
            <name>2_arm_1</name>
        </event>
    </form>
</redcapProject>

Root Element

Form Elements

The follow are children elements of each redcap/form element.

Event Elements

The following are children elements of each redcap/form/event element.

Required? Name or Path Description Max
Required name Name of the REDCap Event 1

Translation Table

  • Format: XML
  • Configuration:
  • Key: translation_table_file
  • Default: translationTable.xml

Sample

<rediFieldMap>

    <clinicalComponent>
        <loinc_code>34714-6</loinc_code>
        <clinicalComponentName>INR</clinicalComponentName>

        <redcapFormName>inr</redcapFormName>

        <redcapFieldNameValue>inr_lab_result</redcapFieldNameValue>
        <redcapFieldNameValueDescriptiveText>INR</redcapFieldNameValueDescriptiveText>

        <redcapStatusFieldName>inr_lab_status</redcapStatusFieldName>
        <redcapStatusFieldValue>NOT_DONE</redcapStatusFieldValue>
    </clinicalComponent>

    <clinicalComponent>
        <loinc_code>11011-4</loinc_code>
        <clinicalComponentName>Hepatitis C virus RNA</clinicalComponentName>

        <redcapFormName>hcv_rna</redcapFormName>

        <redcapFieldNameValue>hcv_lab_result</redcapFieldNameValue>
        <redcapFieldNameUnits>hcv_lab_result_units</redcapFieldNameUnits>
        <redcapFieldNameValueDescriptiveText>HCV RNA results</redcapFieldNameValueDescriptiveText>
    </clinicalComponent>

</rediFieldMap>

Clinical Components

Clinical Component is a generic term for test, measurement, or observation. Each Clinical Component is represented by a clinicalComponent XML element whose children elements are as follows:

How to Add a Simple REDCap Form to RED-I

Remember, when “adding a form” you are describing it to RED-I. So, you can open your browser and use the actual REDCap Form to guide you.

  1. Edit formEvents.xml
  2. Copy the contents of the sample data for a form element.
  3. Replace the text of all XML Elements using the descriptions above.
  4. Edit translationTable.xml
  5. Copy the contents of the sample data for a clinicalComponent element
  6. Replace the text of all XML Elements using the descriptions above.
  7. Repeat for as many clinical components as needed.

Note

You can lookup a field’s ID using REDCap’s Data Collection Instruments editor.

  1. Click Project Setup
  2. Under Design your data collection instruments, click Online Designer.
  3. Find the name of your form (called an Instrument), such as “Demographics”.
  4. Find the field you are looking for and copy it’s Variable name. image