Should a research lab build a custom study tool?

Only when REDCap or an off-the-shelf platform leaves a gap that costs your team real time, such as scheduling, a participant app or access rules that a forms tool cannot give you, and someone can host and maintain the tool.

Can a custom tool work with REDCap?

Often, through REDCap’s API, if your institution allows it. Your REDCap administrator controls API access, so check this first.

Custom Study Tool or Off-the-Shelf Research Platform? How a Lab Decides

A research lab should choose between REDCap, an off-the-shelf platform and a custom study tool by asking five questions in order, and stopping at the first one that fits. Most labs find that REDCap or a platform their institution already licenses covers most of the study. A custom tool earns its pl...