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REDCap: Data Resolution Workflow

User Privledges Icon Rights and Locking Icon Verify Icon Data Query Icon Data Quality Icon Monitor Icon
Setting User Privileges Data Viewing Rights &
Record Locking
Verifying Data Fields Data Queries Data Quality Guidance for Monitors


Overview

The Data Resolution Workflow allows users to open a workflow for documenting the process of resolving issues with data in the project (i.e. opening, responding to, and closing data queries). This functionality is helpful for projects that are working with monitors.

DRW Flowchart
Flowchart for the Data Resolution Workflow

Setting up the DRW is done in Project Setup > Enable optional modules and customizations > Additional customizations. Check the box next to the “Enable the Field Comment Log or Data Resolution Workflow (Data Queries)?” and then select “Data Resolution Workflow” from the drop-down.

Enable DRW in project settings
Navigating to DRW in Project Settings
Enable DRW in additional customizations
Enable DRW in additional customizations



Setting User Privileges

Before the users in your project can begin utilizing the Data Resolution Workflow, they must first be given user privileges to do so.  Navigate to the User Rights page where you will see a new section of privileges specifically for the Data Resolution Workflow. You may give any user one of the following privileges: no access, view only, respond only, and open/close/respond to queries. All users will initially have 'no access' privileges.

Here are some example privileges based on common roles within a clinical project. If needed, they can be updated for each protocol.

Data Entry: Respond only to opened queries

Monitor: Open, close, and respond to queries

Principal Investigator: View Only

Project Manager: Open, close, and respond to queries

Setting DRW User Privledges
Setting DRW User Privileges




Data Viewing Rights & Record Locking

While these next two areas are not specific to the DRW space, they are also recommended when working with a Monitor.

The Monitor role in a project should be set so that they only have ‘Read Only’ access to each instrument.  This prevents them from changing a fields value.

Setting Data Viewing Rights
Setting Data Viewing Rights

Additionally, the Monitor and Project Managers should be given the ability to lock/unlock instruments and records.  This access allows them to prevent other users from making a change to instruments after they have been verified by a monitor.

There is currently no way to verify all fields on an instrument, so this must be done for each field (more on this in the next sections). Locking an instrument may be another option for the monitor to indicate all fields were ‘verified’. 

Data Locking Permissions
Data Locking Permissions



    Verifying Data Fields

    If you want to denote that an individual data value has been certified as correct, you can verify the field. 

    1. On the instrument, click the gray speech bubble next to the field.
    DRW Comment Icon
    Click gray bubble to open DRW
    2. The Data Resolution Workflow pop-up will open.
    DRW Verified Data Selection
    Make selection to verify or query data
    3. A verified field will appear with a green circle with a white checkmark on the instrument.
    DRW Verified Data Icon
    Green checked circle shows verified data
    NOTE: If a verified data value is ever changed and saved, it will become automatically de-verified, after which it may be verified again (if desired). A de-verified field will appear with a red exclamation point on the instrument. 
    DRW De-verified Data Options
    Red exclamation shows if data was changed after verification
    To re-verify a field or to open a query, click on the red exclamation point to open the DRW pop-up and make your selection.
    DRW Deverified Data Options
    Options to re-verify or query changed data


    REMINDER: There is currently no way to verify an entire instrument (all fields). One option to indicate an entire instrument has been verified is to lock it (found at the bottom of the instrument). Locking it will not allow users to change any values unless it is unlocked by someone with appropriate access.

    Lock Instrument Options
    Option to Lock Instrument for a Record




    Opening Data Queries

    An open data query implies that there is an issue with a data value that needs to be resolved. Opening the query initiates the process of investigating the issue and resolving it (i.e. closing the query). The most typical place to open a data query is on a field on a data entry instrument.

    On the instrument, click the gray speech bubble next to the field to open the Data Resolution Workflow pop-up.

    Start to open new query
    Gray bubble to open DRW

    This will allow you to open a new query or to verify a data value. You must leave a comment (required) along and you have the option to assign that particular data query to a specific user (optional).

    Opening Query Options
    Options to Open and Comment on Query




    Responding to Data Queries

    Any user with 'respond' privileges will be able to respond to an open query (even if it is assigned to a specific user). On the instrument, a speech bubble with a red circle and white exclamation point will indicate when a field has an opened query.  Click on that icon to open the Data Resolution pop-up and view or respond to the query.

    DRW Query Respond Icon
    Red Icon Indicates Open Query

    The user may select a response type (e.g., typographical error) and must provide a comment (required). They also have the option to also attach a file.

    DRW Respond to Data Query Options
    Options to Respond to an Open Query

    A user must also remember to update the data value in the field if they haven’t already. They can either access the field within the record status dashboard or select the hyperlinked subject ID number found at the top of the Data Resolution Workflow pop-up. Selecting the hyperlinked subject ID number will take them straight to the field in question.

    Clicking on a field that has an open query will also result in a pop-up button allowing the user to “Save and then open the Data Resolution Pop-up”.

    Save then Open DRW
    Option to Save and Open DRW




    Closing Data Queries

    Once a query has been responded to, a user with 'close' privileges may close the query, after which it will be considered resolved.

    A query that has been responded to will appear with a speech bubble with a white circle and a blue exclamation point.

    DRW Closing Queries Icon
    Blue Icon Indicates Responded Query

    Click on that icon to open the Data Resolution pop-up and view or respond to the query.

    DRW Close Query Options
    Options to Respond or Close Query

    A query that has been closed will appear with the speech bubble and a green circle and a white checkmark.

    DRW Closed Query Icon
    Green Icon Indicates Closed or Verified Data




    Data Quality and Resolve Issues Section

    While data queries will be opened either on a data entry instrument or via the results of a Data Quality rule, users will most likely respond to and close queries on the 'Resolve Issues' page (seen on left-hand menu under applications). NOTE: Depending on your user rights, you may have different access to the applications shown in this screenshot.

    DRW Resolve Issues in Menu
    Resolve Issues Found in Left-Hand Menu

    This page will serve as a dashboard that will neatly organize all queries (both open and closed) so that they may be reviewed and so that any open queries may be easily responded to and closed. This page can serve as a nice to-do list for addressing all open queries. Filters also allow users to easily review different types of queries, queries on specific events or for specific sites (if DAGs are being used).

    DRW Resolve Issues Dashboard
    DRW Resolve Issues Dashboard

    Within the Resolve Issues page there is a tab for “Resolution Metrics”. It can sometimes be useful to view metrics with regard to your data queries, such as a count of how many queries are open or closed, the average time that users respond to an open query, the top 5 most queried fields, or the average time to query resolution. This page will provide some useful statistics and including helpful bar charts for viewing progress and activity. If your project utilizes Data Access Groups, it provides even more useful charts to compare the progress of the different groups and to stratify their activity.




    Data Quality Page

    Some users may additionally have access to the Data Quality application. When used with the Data Resolution Workflow, queries can be opened when viewing the results of an executed Data Quality rule. You can also create your own rules to look at specific things within your project, like certain ranges for lab values, or ensuring eligibility.

    DRW Data Quality in Menu
    Data Quality Found in Left-Hand Menu

    In this example below, rule B (Blank values – required fields) was run and shows 4 fields in need of addressing. Select the comments button to open the Data Resolution Workflow pop-up.

    Users with access can then respond to queries here or use the hyperlinked subject ID within the pop-up to take them straight to the field in question.

    DRW Data Quality Options
    DRW Data Quality Options




    Recommended Access for Study Monitors

    Many studies rely on a study monitor that will need to access and review data entered into REDCap.  The study monitor will need to have a REDCap account with specific permissions assigned within a project that will allow them to access the Data Resolution Workflow.  

    Recommended DRW Permissions for Monitors:

    • Open Queries
    • Close Queries
    • Respond to Queries
    Data Resolution Workflow Monitor Permissions
    Data Resolution Workflow Monitor Permissions

    Recommended Data Access Permissions for Monitors:

    • Read Only Data Viewing Rights
    • No Access to Data Export (unless there is a study specific reason for the monitor needing exports)
    Monitor Read and Export Access
    Monitor Read and Export Access


    If you have a UW-Madison REDCap project and have questions about REDCap Data Resolution Workflow, please send them to redcap@ictr.wisc.edu.
     



    Keywords:
    REDCap, Data, Resolution, Workflow, quality, monitor, user, permission 
    Doc ID:
    121555
    Owned by:
    Amanda Y. in SMPH Research Informatics
    Created:
    2022-09-27
    Updated:
    2024-03-20
    Sites:
    SMPH Research Informatics , SMPH Research Informatics TEST