REDCap Data Quality Rules

The Data Quality module allows you to execute data quality rules on REDCap project data to check for missingness or errors. This articles outlines the Data Quality Dashboard, pre-defined data rules, and custom rules.

Permissions for ‘Create & edit rules’ and ‘Execute rules’ are granted to Data Monitors and Designers. For more information, see REDCap User Roles.

Data Quality Rules Dashboard

The Data Quality Rules Dashboard shows both predefined and custom rules.

Pre-defined Rules

A. Missing values

B. Missing values (required fields only)

C. Field validation errors (incorrect data type)

D. Field validation errors (out of range)

E. Outliers for numerical fields (numbers, integers, sliders, calc fields)

F. Hidden fields that contain values

G. Multiple choice fields with invalid values

H. Incorrect values for calculated fields

I. Fields containing “missing data codes”

Custom Rules

Custom rules can be added at the bottom of the dashboard.

Enter a descriptive name for the rule.
Enter logic for the rule.
Determine if would prefer for the rule to execute on the data entry form pages in real time. If checked, after clicking Save on a data entry form, it will execute the rule and display a warning pop-up message if the rule has been violated.

Running Rules

To find any discrepancies for each individual rule, click the Execute button for that rule or click All in the top-right corner to execute all rules. REDCap will calculate each rule and provide you with a total number of discrepancies found.

To view the list of results, click the View button in the Total Discrepancies column for a given rule.

The Resolve Issue column brings up the Data Resolution Workflow pop up which allows project users to open, respond to, or close a data query which is used for documenting details of the data issue, including the origin of the issue, who resolved the issue, and how it was resolved.