Choosing What Kind of Data to Import

Importing Data in Ripple: Global vs. Study-Specific Data

Ripple allows users to upload two types of data: Global Data and Study-Specific Data. Understanding the difference ensures accurate data management across studies.

Global Data

Global data includes participant information that is not tied to a specific study. It remains consistent across all studies and is visible in the Global Registry.

Examples of Global Data:

• Participant Identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth, address)
• Global Custom Variables (marked as "global" during setup)
• Contact details
• Demographic information

Key Features:
✅ Follows participants across all studies they are enrolled in.
✅ Visible in the Global Registry for comprehensive participant tracking.
✅ Can be used across multiple studies without duplication.

Study-Specific Data

Study-specific data is unique to a particular study and does not transfer between studies or appear in the Global Registry.

Examples of Study-Specific Data:

• CustomID (unique participant identifier for a specific study)
• Event Dates (e.g., visit dates, follow-up schedules)
• Study Statuses (e.g., enrolled, withdrawn, completed)
• Recruitment Sources, Sites, and Strategies

Key Features:
✅ Restricted to a single study—data does not transfer between studies.
✅ Not visible in the Global Registry—only accessible within the assigned study.
✅ Customizable per study, allowing tailored data collection.

Choosing Between Global and Study-Specific Data

By correctly designating Global vs. Study-Specific Data, Ripple users can efficiently manage participant information while maintaining data accuracy and study-specific integrity.

When Should I Upload Global Data?

Global data should be uploaded directly into the Registry when:

✅ You are importing a large database of participants who may later be assigned to different studies.
✅ You have participants not yet enrolled in a study but may be recruited in the future.
✅ You want participant information, such as names, contact details, and global custom variables, to be accessible across multiple studies.

Example Use Case:

• You have a database of 5,000 potential participants and want to add them to Ripple before assigning them to specific studies later.
• Uploading this list directly into the Registry ensures that they are available for future study recruitment without duplicating participant records.

When Should I Upload Study-Specific Data?

Study-specific data should be uploaded directly into a study when:

✅ You are importing participants directly into an active study.
✅ You need to include study-specific details such as:

• • Recruitment source, site, or strategy
  • Event data (e.g., visit dates, milestones)
  • Study-specific participant identifiers (CustomID, statuses, etc.)
    ✅ You want participants to appear in the Registry, but their study-specific details will only be accessible within that study.

Example Use Case:

• You are conducting a clinical study and want to import participants with their study-specific recruitment source, assigned site, and enrollment status.
• Uploading directly into the study ensures their study-related details remain separate from general participant information in the Registry.