Common CRF Design Errors
Table 1
Table
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Table 1
Table
Table 1
| Design error | Consequence | Prevention strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Collecting unnecessary variables | Increased burden and missingness | Link each field to protocol, safety, compliance, or analysis |
| Vague labels | Inconsistent interpretation | Include timepoint, unit, and context |
| Excessive free text | Difficult cleaning and analysis | Use coded options where possible |
| Inconsistent coding | Misclassification during analysis | Maintain standard code lists |
| Missing units | Invalid comparisons | Include units in labels and variable names |
| Poor longitudinal structure | Difficult repeated-measures analysis | Use events or repeating instruments appropriately |
| No version control | Inconsistent data across sites or time | Maintain version logs and approval records |
| Limited testing | Errors discovered after launch | Conduct realistic User Acceptance Testing |