Rule scope

About scope

A rule that is part of a study object can refer only to:

• The study object and its children.
• Properties and values of the study object and its children.

This concept is called scope.

Child items of a compound item

The child items of a compound item are in the scope of the compound item.

Study objects that are outside the scope of a rule

If a study object falls outside the scope of a rule, you have the following options:

• Create the rule on a study object that is higher in the hierarchy and that has the necessary study object in its scope.
• Move the necessary study object within the scope of the study object on which you create the rule.
• Add the study object to a data series. Study objects that are part of mappings can be included in any rule in a study.

  For more information, see:

  • Mappings for rule creation.
  • Rule mappings.

Tips

• To allow for reuse, create data-entry rules on the lowest-level study object that is reasonable based on scope requirements. For example, if an item requires a range check, create the range check on the item, not on the form that contains the item.
• Do not create all rules on the study design. Although all study objects in the study are in scope, you cannot reuse the rules because you cannot reuse study designs.
• If one or more study objects are outside the scope of a study object, Oracle recommends creating the rule on a higher-level study object that has all required study objects in its scope.

  If you choose this option, the data-entry rule might be less likely to be reused because it is created on a study object that might not be reused in many other studies, but you are no longer limited by the scope of a particular study object.

• As early as possible, plan the study object on which every rule will be created.

  For example, if a study event contains two forms, and you have a rule that requires data from both forms, the scope of the rule will allow you to create the rule on the study event or a higher study object.