REDRightHand
What is REDRightHand?
REDRightHand converts REDCap exports into tidy normalized tables, which can then be queried with any SQL-based data system. It uses REDCap’s API to pull in data and convert it with a single button-click.
About REDCap
REDCap is an immensely popular data management system for clinical researchers. It’s easy to use, easy to deploy, full-featured and in many cases available at no cost to researchers.
However, REDCap exports can be less than ideal. REDCap will export data only as a flat file—essentially, one gigantic two-dimensional worksheet. That’s acceptable if you’re using only the most basic features of REDCap. But if you’re using REDCap features like “longitudinal events” or “repeating instruments,” you’re working with relational (one-to-many) data. To export this kind of data, REDCap must “flatten” it into a single two-dimensional grid. The data must be parsed and cleaned before it can be queried in a logical way. REDRightHand does that work for you instantly.
Why use REDRightHand?
Clinical researchers use REDRightHand to manage data from REDCap projects that use longitudinal events and/or repeating instruments. It is especially useful if you want to:
- Develop sophisticated on-demand reports and queries for your data throughout the life of your study
- Query your data with SQL
- Merge your data with data from EHR systems, other REDCap projects or other sources.
Free version and licensed version
The free version of REDRightHand can be dowloaded here. This version will download and convert data from the first fifty participants in a REDCap study. There is no cost and no need to sign up for anything.
The licensed version of REDRightHand downloads data from REDCap without caps or limits. Usually researchers license REDRightHand as part of a consulting package, but standalone licenses are also available. For more information, see the licensing page.
Requirements for running REDRightHand
Currently, REDRightHand runs under Windows only.
You will need either Microsoft Access 2016 or later to use REDRightHand. (If you are using UCSF’s RAE platform, you’re already covered.)
REDRightHand works through REDCap’s API, which means that you’ll need to request an API key for your REDCap project. You make the request by clicking a link in REDCap, and the key (a 32-digit code string) is usually delivered overnight.
See the installation instructions for more detailed information on requirements.
We use REDRightHand in our studies of continuous glucose monitors in pregnancy. We download our REDCap data frequently to monitor the data collection process and update the analysis. We wouldn’t be able to do our studies without it.