¶ Building a Data Extraction Form
The extraction form defines exactly what data you'll collect from each included study. You design
it once in the Form Builder, and every extraction in the project uses that structure.
Who can do this: only the project Leader can view or edit the Form Builder.
Prerequisite: add at least one key question first — the
Build Extraction Form button stays disabled until you do.
¶ Open the Form Builder
From the project, open the Form Builder (/extraction_forms_projects/<id>/build), or click
Build Extraction Form from the Key Questions screen. The Builder has an amber theme and warns:
"Define the structure of your extraction form — changes here affect all extractions." Use
Switch to Data Extraction → to jump to the extraction screen.
Sections are tabs down the left; the selected section's questions are edited on the right.
Edit with care. Because the form is shared, changing it affects all existing extractions —
so design it before mass extraction begins, and make later changes deliberately.
¶ Form Structure
A form is organized into sections (the tabs). VADRR has a few section kinds:
- Type 1 — structured grids. For study-level data you record once per arm/outcome/etc.
(e.g. Design Details, Arms, Outcomes). During extraction you add one or more Type 1 items
(e.g. each study arm), each with its own rows and columns. - Type 2 — questions. A flexible list of questions; this is where most custom data goes.
- Type 4 — results. A results/outcomes section linked to Type 1 items.
- Key Questions. Lets an extraction be tagged with the project key question(s) it addresses.
¶ Managing Sections
- Add a section and choose its kind and the underlying section (e.g. Outcomes).
- Reorder sections by dragging the tabs.
- Display / hide a section with its visibility toggle (hidden sections don't appear to extractors).
- Edit the section's instructions to guide extractors (shown during extraction; not included in exported data).
- Remove a section (with confirmation).
¶ Building Questions (Type 2)
Within a Type 2 section you add questions. Each question has:
- A name and optional description.
- One or more rows and columns — a single field is just 1×1, but you can build a matrix
(e.g. rows = time points, columns = measures). - A field type per cell, chosen from:
| Field type | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Text Field (alphanumeric) | free text |
| Numeric Field (numeric) | a single number (you can allow the ~ < > ≤ ≥ qualifiers) |
| Checkbox (select multiple) | choose any number of options |
| Dropdown (select one) | choose exactly one (compact) |
| Radio (select one) | choose exactly one (buttons) |
| Select one (with write-in option) | choose one, or type your own |
| Select multiple (with write-in option) | choose several, or type your own |
For option-based types you define the answer options (and can allow a follow-up text per
option). You can also set dependencies so a field only appears when another field has a certain
value.
¶ Preview
Use the form Preview to see the form exactly as extractors will — a good final check before you
start extracting.
¶ Next Step
When the form is ready, Switch to Data Extraction and begin
extracting data.