Skip to main content Link Menu Expand (external link) Document Search Copy Copied

Basic question types

We will use the instrument to try out some basic question types by adding some demographic questions.

Text box

In REDCap, the ‘Text box’ question type can be used in several ways: to capture short written responses and information like numbers and dates. Here, we will just capture our participant’s name.

Add a basic text field

Activity

  1. Click on Demographic question to open it
  2. Click Add Field
  3. Choose Text Box
  4. In the Field Label, type First Name (this gets displayed to your participants)
  5. In the Field Name, type first_name (this gets stored as a column header in your database)
  6. In the Required field, select “Yes”.
  7. In the Identifier? Field, select “Yes”. (Identifiable information can be flagged to restrict it from export.)
  8. Click Save.
  9. Repeat the process to add the field Last Name (name_last)

Multiple choice

Multiple choice fields are of two kinds:

  • ‘Radio buttons’ and ‘Drop down lists’ only allow the participant to select a single option from a list.
  • ‘Checkboxes’ allow participants to select any number of items from a list.

Add a radio button question

Activity

  1. Click Add field
  2. Choose Multiple choice - Radio buttons from the drop-down list.
  3. Type Gender in the Field Label and gender in the Variable Name.
  4. Add the following options: Male, Female, Intersex, Prefer not to say.

About raw values

The ‘raw value’, which appears before the column, is the value that gets recorded in your data. Thus your recorded value can be numeric, or a single letter code, while the participant can read a fuller description.

Add a checkbox question

Activity

  1. Click Add field.
  2. Choose Checkboxes (Multiple Answers) for the Field Type.
  3. In the Field Label, type Do you suffer from any of the following conditions?.
  4. In the Variable Name, type pre_conditions.

  5. In the Choices Field, type the following on separate lines:

    • Diabetes
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Asthma
    • Anxiety or depression
    • None of the above
  6. In the Required field, click Yes.

REDCap automatically adds numeric Raw Values for each choice. Raw values are what gets saved to the database when a participant chooses a value. You can change the raw values to something else if you want.