Clinical trials Survey Platforms

Data capture platforms are essential in the field of clinical trials, as a researcher tools that are secure, robust and scaleable are most appealing.

Click on the arrow(s) to open or close the diverse platforms on offer.

• REDCap:
  • Stands for Resesrch Electronic Data Capture, developed by Vanderbilt University
  • Is an application meant to support research methodology and data collection
  • Each institute's system is independently maintained and supported
  • All data captured is stored on its own servers
  • HIPAA Complient
  • Advantages of REDCap
    • Pricing: it is open source and free to download for institution.
    • Robust and scalable:can be used on several platforms, REDCap has both a web application that can be used on desktops and laptops and mobile devices.
    • Easy to design, develop and use data collection tools.
    • Screen layouts are clear and simple to navigate
    • Allows,range checks, data type checks, valid date checks and branching logic implementation
    • Support double data entry format
    • Supports web based Randomization, for studies seeking to implement RCT
    • Disadvantagesof REDCap
      • When implemented on web-based platforms, it requires an initial setup investment on on ICT systems such as high speed internet, servers e.t.c
      • REDCap is not able to create child and grandchild cases, not ideal for case management

• Qualtrics:
  • Software for collecting and analyzing data
  • Privately owned, funded by venture capital investiments
  • Database maintained in an offsite location, not in cloud.
  • Advantages of Qualtrics
    • Building surveys is extremely intuitive; it's so easy to use
    • Allows for data analysis and reporting
  • Disadvantages of Qualtrics
    • Being a commercial software, cost can be an inhibitive factor in its adoption especially in resource constrained locations
    • Poor customer service support
    • Not HIPAA compliant, this would make it unsuitable for FDA reviewed clinical trials

• DFNET:
  • Data collection and repository company located in Washington, USA
  • Privately owned, Can be thought of as a CRO- does data mangement for clinical trials
  • Database are accessed via secure server connection on the DfExplore App, developed and maintained by DFNET.
  • They work with academic and non-profit research organizations as well as early-phase biotech and pharma clients
  • Advantages of DFNET/DfExplore
    • Building surveys is extremely intuitive; it's so easy to use
    • HIPAA compliant, makes it ideal for FDA reviewed Clinical Trials
    • Very clear and easy to use scren layouts
    • Supports validation rules and checks
  • Disadvantages of DFNET/DfExplore
    • Being a commercial software, cost can be an inhibitive factor in its adoption especially in resource constrained locations
    • Requires an active internet connection all the time
    • Requires intensive training to understand all functionality it provides, as opposed to other intuitive platforms

• SurveyMonkey:
  • SurveyMonkey, is an online survey development cloud-based software as a service company
  • Privately owned
  • ideal for business whose only intrest is to gauge opinions
  • Advantages of Survey Monkey
    • Building surveys is extremely easy
    • Very small cost attached to it and for small surveys it is free
    • Offers immediate access to responses/answers
  • Disadvantages of Survey Monkey
    • Not ideal for surveys that require more in-depth answers
    • Does not offer confidentiality, not ideal for clinical trials.
    • Not HIPAA compliant

• CommCare
  • CommCare, is data collection App
  • Privately owned by DiMagi
  • Advantages of CommCare
    • Offers the most frienly interface for users during data collection, one question per screen option
    • Allows for the collection of electronic data in the absence of internet access (uploaded later)
    • Easy to collect repeated data on individuals over time
    • Very small cost attached to it and for small surveys it is free
    • Easy to build forms and surveys on this platform
    • Validation rules and checks can be implemented
  • Disadvantages of CommCare
    • Not ideal for long questioned/formatted surveys
    • Once data is submitted it is impossible to edit
    • Has a complicated data access backend