Summary

By default, new projects will use the 'classic' data collection format, which is the best option if all data collection instruments will only need to be used once for each record in the project. If some instruments need to be utilized repeatedly for a specific, finite number of times then longitudinal data collection will likely be best. Additionally, the longitudinal format also allows one to utilize the scheduling module, if needed. (Note: If users are looking for instruments to be repeated without limit, the repeating instruments option seen within the “Enable optional modules and customizations” on the Project Setup page.)

How to Enable Longitudinal Data Collection

To enable Longitudinal Data Collection in a REDCap project requires enabling the longitudinal data collection from the Project Setup page, then defining events and designating instruments per event. Follow the steps below to effectively enable longitudinal data collection in a project:

1. From the Project Setup Page, click "Enable" next to Use longitudinal data collection with defined events?​​​​​​ (Note: Surveys can, but are not required to be enabled for the longitudinal data collection to function)
   
    
2. The screen will refresh and the Use longitudinal data collection with defined events? text will turn green.
   
    
3. A new box on the Project Setup page will appear called Define your events and designate instruments for them.
   
    
4. To define events for the project, click the "Define My Events" button under Define your events and designate instruments for them
   
    
5. Longitudinal projects initially have one arm and one event. To customize event names (like “Event 1”) click the pencil icon, edit the Event Label and Custom Event Label (optional), and then save.
   
    
6. To add additional events within this Arm, type in a new event label (and custom label if desired) then click "Add new event". (Note: Users may repeat this process as many times as needed.)
   
    
7. To rename the arm name, click "Rename Arm 1", then type the new Arm name and save.
    
    
8. To add additional arms (or groupings of events), click the "+Add New Arm" button, enter a name for the new arm, and save. Once a new arm is created, events can be designated to the new arm by following the steps above. (Note: Users may repeat this process as many times as needed.)
   
    
9. Once events are defined, instruments must be designated per event. To designate instruments per event, click on the "Designate Instruments for My Events" button which can be found on both the Project Setup Page (first image below) and the Define My Events page (second image below).
   
   
   
    
10. To define instruments per Arm and Event, click the "Begin Editing" button under Arm Name. (Note: If the project has multiple Arms, there will be separate tabs for each Arm to designate instruments. If there is only one Arm, no tabs will appear on this screen.)
    
     
11. Select the instruments per event by clicking the check boxes then save. 
    
     
12. If there are multiple Arms in the project, click through the additional Arm tabs and repeat the process to designate instruments per additional arms and events.
    
    
    
     

Example of a Longitudinal Data Collection

1. To see the setup of the longitudinal data collection, click "Record Status Dashboard" found in the panel on the left side of the screen.
   
    
2. Once at least 1 record has been created, the display will show the arms, events per arm, and which instruments have been completed per event.