What is the difference between data mappings, data sets, and data series?

You use data mappings, data sets, and data series to group items into abstract associations. The associations that you create are independent of the way that you collect data values in forms.

• Data mappings—A data grouping that provides an alternate data view of a study. For example, you can group data sets to form an SDTM (Study Data Tabulation Model) data mapping.
  • Data mappings are not affected when you move items between forms.
  • You can create a data mapping before you design your study or as part of the study design process.
  • You can create one or more mappings in a study or library, but they are not required for any project.

In a data mapping, items are added to a data series. The association remains with the item whenever it is used. You can compare the parts of a data mapping to database concepts with which you are already familiar.

Compare a mapping to	Compare a data set to	Compare a data series to
A database schema	A database table	A column in a table
A Microsoft Excel workbook	A worksheet	A column in the worksheet

• Data sets—A grouping of one or more related data series. For example, the Temperature data series and Weight data series might comprise a Vital Signs data set.

  When you create a data set, you can specify standard and custom dimensions.

• Data series—A grouping of one or more items with the same clinical meaning, such as one or more items that measure weight.

  When you create a data series, you choose a data type for it.

Example—Data mapping

Data set: Vital signs initial	Data set: Vital signs final
Data series: Temperature	Data series: Temperature
Data series: Weight	Data series: Weight
Data series: Pulse rate	Data series: Pulse rate
Data series: Blood pressure	Data series: Blood pressure