flowchart LR
A["Paper forms"] --> D
B["Tablet / QR survey"] --> D
C["Online survey"] --> D
G["rcol templates"] -.->|install instruments| D
D["<b>REDCap project</b><br/>standardised instruments"] --> E["Clean export<br/>CSV · API"]
E --> F["<b>BIDS dataset</b><br/>+ EEG / behaviour"]
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classDef core fill:#004e9f,stroke:#003e6b,color:#fff;
classDef out fill:#e5f5ef,stroke:#00a879,color:#12503b;
class A,B,C src;
class D core;
class E,F out;
REDCap
Open science is built on a foundation of transparency and replicability. One way that we can maintain this in data collection is through standardized data collection tools such as REDCap. REDCap is an online database where researchers can upload their data or have participants complete surveys that are immediately transferred to the database. It is user friendly and reduces the human errors from data entry within an excel sheet!
We are able to increase the replicability of data entry in REDCap through the use of coding. There is a Python Package being developed called ‘rcol’ that is able to install all instruments a project may need directly into REDCap. This package has many current instruments being used within the RTG 2783 Neuromodulation at the Universität Oldenburg. By use of this package, you are able to upload these instruments directly into your REDCap project. This standardizes the coding scheme, the questions, and the excel exports.
What REDCap gives you
Standardised instruments
Pull validated questionnaires (FAL, EHI, BDI-II, MoCA…) from rcol so every project uses the same schema.
Fewer entry errors
Data goes straight into the database with validation, instead of being retyped into a spreadsheet.
Reproducible setup
Your project is defined in a short Python script you can version and re-run.
Analysis-ready exports
Consistent CSV / API exports drop cleanly into R, SPSS, or Python — and onward toward BIDS.
Research Data Workflow: From Collection to Open Science
Whether data arrives on paper, on a tablet in the lab, or through an online survey, it lands in one standardized project and exports the same way every time.
Redcap consultation hour
The Neurocognitive Psychology Department will be hosting biweekly meetings for implementation and questions around REDCap. During these meetings, you can discuss things like:
- how REDCap may be implemented for your project,
- how to modify the instruments to suit your specific project needs, or
- anything else you may be curious about!
These meetings will be held by Hayden Mayer and Evrim Evirgen. The meetings will be:
Note
- Room — A07 0-042
- Day — Biweekly starting on 21.10.2026
- Time — 14:00-16:00
Curious to learn more?
Here are some helpful resources to establish a solid foundation in both REDCap and the python package:
rcol — Python package
Instrument templates and a full setup walkthrough (account, API key, upload, surveys).
REDCap manual (UOL)
Getting started with REDCap at the University of Oldenburg.
REDCap to BIDS
Turn REDCap exports into a BIDS participants.tsv / .json dataset.