Standard and custom data dimensions

When you create a data set, you specify standard data dimensions, which indicate the additional information that will be saved when study data is collected. Data dimensions are the keys to the data. The way the keys are defined determines how you can view the data that is collected.

For example, a Vital signs data set contains several data series, including Weight. After data is collected, the Weight data series provides the weight values that were recorded in the study. The data series does not include context information, such as identifying information for the subject and the study event in which weight was recorded. To provide this information, you can specify standard data dimensions for a data set.

Note: Clintrial users might find it helpful to compare specifying data dimensions to choosing a panel type. Data dimensions are similar to panel keys.

You can specify the following standard data dimensions when you create a data set.

Information in standard data dimensions

You can also specify custom data dimensions. Like standard data dimensions, custom data dimensions specify additional information that is saved when study data is collected. You can provide names and values for custom data dimensions by selecting or creating a codelist, and you can allow a user-defined value. When you add an item to a data series contained by the data set, you are prompted to select a custom dimension label. You can choose a label from the list of codelist items, or, if providing a user-defined value is allowed, you can type a label name.

Note: In CIS data mapping definitions, custom dimensions are used to identify a subset key item for pages with multiple sections that contain the same panel items. The value of the subset key item determines the section in which data appears.