An Automatic Data Extracting Method for REDCap Folder Mapping: An Example for Cardiological Clinical Case

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Data Science
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Biomedical and bioengineering research complexity necessitates robust data management.
• Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) lacks standardized project file organization.
• This gap challenges large-scale, multidisciplinary studies, especially in cardiovascular bioengineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a systematic methodology for mapping REDCap folders.
• To standardize the organizational structure of research project directories.
• To enhance data integrity, traceability, and collaboration in research.

Main Methods:

• Developed a hierarchical model for data flow from raw acquisition to processed outcomes.
• Defined best practices and a customizable template for research contexts.
• Validated the methodology in a cardiovascular bioengineering use case.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated improved data traceability, accessibility, and project organization.
• Significantly reduced time for data retrieval and management.
• Minimized data misplacement risk and enhanced researcher collaboration.

Conclusions:

• The proposed methodology strengthens data governance and reproducibility in biomedical research.
• Standardized REDCap folder mapping facilitates efficient data management.
• The framework is adaptable to various research settings, improving overall research efficiency.