What if I include a standalone coding question in a form?

You can include a coding question in any form, but if you don't include read-only items in the same form, having a single coding question won't be effective.

Here's why: a coding question's answer should be translated into various other terms, based on the dictionary that you're using: WHODrug or MedDRA. Without a read-only item in place that indicates how you want the term to be coded, data for coding questions won't be properly mapped in your study.

For example, you should create an adverse events repeating form that contains a coding question for a verbatim term. You map it to the MedDRA dictionary, and then create various read-only items to translate the verbatim terms using high level dictionary term paths. And remember: the question for a Verbatim Term, Indication, or Route of Administration should always be required in a form, whereas the read-only items should be left as regular questions.

Figure 13-1 A repeating form for adverse events containing coding questions