FROM IDEA TO PROJECT - REDCAP DATA DICTIONARY STARTER
Dr Geoffrey Melville | ICEN 2026

This CSV defines a form and its fields. It is not a participant-data import.
The six fields are examples to adapt, not a validated study instrument.

NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
1. Download redcap-data-dictionary-starter.csv and keep it as a CSV.
2. Open a new REDCap project in development mode on your approved local system.
3. Open Data Dictionary (usually under Project Setup or the left-hand menu).
4. Upload the CSV. Review REDCap's validation messages and proposed changes.
5. Apply the changes when they are correct. The instrument is audit_starter.
6. Use the Online Designer to replace the example labels, definitions and choices.
7. Pilot the form with invented information before collecting project data.

EXISTING PROJECT
Download its current Data Dictionary first. Merge the new fields you want to
add into that file, preserving the project's existing record ID and forms.
Review REDCap's proposed changes before applying the combined dictionary.

EXAMPLE FIELDS
record_id: unique study record ID, the first field in the dictionary.
audit_date: date with DD-MM-YYYY validation.
auditor_code: the code agreed by your team.
example_category: a radio field with coded Yes, No and Unclear responses.
example_count: a whole-number field with a minimum of zero.
example_notes: a free-text notes field to adapt or remove.

REDCap versions and local permissions differ. Review the upload in your own
instance and adapt the fields with your project team before collecting data.

Resources: https://geoff-4ql.pages.dev/idea-to-project/